Cricket World Cup

Everyone is saying India is favourable to win the World Cup, how very kind of them. Somehow you cant help but think is it is strategy that teams have adopted trying to boost the confidence of the Indian Cricket team, after all, we all know what over confidence does for the Indian side don’t we?

The reason for this doubt came about when Captain of the South African team Graeme Smith said it. I think for us we need to versatile, I think India will come in as favourites, but personally I think there are five or six teams that could win this World Cup which is probably going to make it a very exciting one”. We all remember how much trash talking he did during the matches between India and South Africa, his choice of words only helped the Indian side get more pepped up and ended to winning a few matches as a result, there is a possibility Graeme Smith is using reverse psychology.

All the sledging and mind games are not limited to just the field but extend on though the media now, and rest assured the mind games have begun as has World Cup fever.

Dhoni hopefully will not be over confident; there is nothing to be so certain about. The previous ODI series was lost by India so if anything, they better be nice and calm as well as humble not to mention practicing their behinds off. Dhoni being the composed man he is would have hopefully exercised his feelings on to the others (fingers crossed).

Australians have kept there mouths shut; however, it is only a matter of time before they begin their usual tactics. It doesn’t necessarily have to be about the favourites, it can be about stadiums, accommodations, decisions etc, there will be something or the other they will get their axe into, it is only a matter of time as at the moment they are still basking in the glory of beating England so brutally in the 7 match ODI series.

Imran Khan (1971 to 1992) ex cricketer of Pakistan made a very astute point saying that he doesn’t know who will win but the gaps between the high class teams have closed in. No longer is it Australia on top and everybody else fighting for the second spot, Now India, Sri Lanka, Australia and England are somewhat on equal footing. With that fact, no match will be a dead giveaway all will be fought for and none will be a walk in the park. However even he backs the “Dhoni Devils”. “This could be the most even, unpredictable World Cup ever. There are six teams who can beat anyone on a given day. Having said that, I think India stands the best chance. You have all-round strength in batting and bowling. The batting line-up, in fact, is great. The team is in good form, and it will play in home conditions,” said Imran Khan as per a TOI interview.

Pressure on the Indian team will be there from start to finish and from all sides, how they deal with that pressure is what we will see once the World Cup begins in 14 days.

Tags: Cricket, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India, Indian Cricket Team, ODI Series, World Cup