Post News Network
In spite of both the co-hosts playing Saturday, the World Cup seemed to lack life. Cricket pundits, however, believe that the real battle for the Cup will start when India face Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval, Sunday.
An India-Pakistan game sans controversy and excitement is like a sky full of stars on a dark night. Then again controversy is the second name of Pakistan. Even though the media has been desperately trying to hide the real facts behind the financial penalty imposed on eight players, it hasn’t been able to do so.
The players had not gone out for dinner as reported Thursday. Instead, they had gone to a night club in Sydney and they broke the curfew not by only 45 minutes but over two hours. The matter however, doesn’t end there. Opener Ahmed Shezad got involved in a brawl that could have turned into a fistfight had not the bouncers intervened. All these issues prompted the team management to impose strict penalties. But then Pakistan will always be Pakistan. Who has cared about penalties?
If the World Cup winning captain of the 1992 team could have said ‘I don’t care if the players give 200 per cent at night as long as they give 110% on the field’, then one can gauge the mentality of the Pak cricketers. Imran Khan was a follower of this policy and he his takers even now. It doesn’t matter what the rules are, the Pathan blood will always revolt.
Irrespective of whatever is happening off the field, in spite of their bowling deficiencies India start 55-45 favourites in the match. As usual, it will be a game between the Indian batters and the Pak bowlers. But having played in Australian conditions for a little over two months, the Indians are far more acclimitised than their Pakistan counterparts. It is not only that the batsmen have to adjust to the extra bounce on the Aussie wickets, the bowlers also have to hit the right spot to take maximum advantage of the carry. And it is in this aspect that the advantage lies with India.
The Indians practiced Saturday at the St Peter’s College Ground, while the Pakistanis went through their drills at the Adelaide Oval. Strangely the chaos and fervour noticed during the training session of the two teams were completely absent. Adelaide probably has not yet woken up to what the city is about to witness very soon.
In a match of such dimension, captains usually play a key role role. The legendary Sri Neville Cardus once wrote: “Great captains are born… not made.” He was and is still true as captaincy is all about three ‘C’s – Conception, Conviction and last but not the least Courage. Because without courage the other two ‘C’s are useless. Imran Khan and Sourav Ganguly became great captains because they had all the three. MS Dhoni and Misbah ul-Haq will have to have oodles of all the three virtues if they are to make a winning start.
Bhubaneswar did not mind CESU cutting off power and preventing the cricket fanatics from watching the first two games on the opening day of the event. But Sunday will be different. If it happens again, CESU should be ready to bear the brunt of the wrath. After all it’s an India-Pakistan game and temperatures do boil over.
Key players (India)
Virat Kohli: Even though off form, Virat has big match temperament. The Indians will expect him to come good.
Ajinkya Rahane: Has been in fantastic form in whatever position he has batted in the tri-series as well as the warm-up games.
Rohit Sharma: His ability to bat through the innings make him a dangerous customer. India would look to him to nullify the Pak pace attack.
Umesh Yadav: Whether India will opt for his pace is not yet decided. But Umesh has the ability to trouble the opposition.
Key players (Pakistan):
Shahid Afridi: One cannot just underestimate a player who has played 393 ODI games. Afridi both with the bat and ball can change the complexion of a game.
Muhammad Irfan: The seven feet-plus pacer will be leading the bowling in the absence of Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal. His opening spell holds the key for Pakistan.
Misbah ul-Haq: The Pak skipper has always been a thorn for India. A dangerous finisher with a cool brain, Misbah will need to fire if Pakistan are to break the jinx.
Wahab Riaz: The left-arm pacer took five wickets against India when the two teams last met in the semifinal at Mohali. He would definitely be a handful on Australian pitches
