India juggernaut is on a roll so far in this World Cup, walloping it's opponents as it chugs ahead. It has not only remained undefeated, has convincingly put away their opponents (barring few hiccups in their game against Windies though the final score lines suggest otherwise). Other high profile teams, Australia and South Africa have already faced defeats and New Zealand almost one. The rest of the teams are wobbly and look inconsistent.
Yet team India needs to be cautious as not everything looks goody goody. The Cup of glory is far away and cup of woe are not over yet. Staying too long in the land Down Under has tempted our batsmen to treat the pitches as their counterparts in Rajkot or Vidarva Cricket Association ground in Nagpur back home. The perennial Achilles Heels against moving, rising deliveries isn't a thing of past. No wonder they say bowlers win matches. So far our bowlers have done a wonderful job.
I am tempted to draw parallels from the 1982 Soccer World Cup. The star studded Brazilian team with the likes of Zico, Socrates, Falcao breezed into the quarters. The legendary Pele boasted "Playing like this we are going to win the Cup". The Quarterfinals was in a league format with Argentina (with a rooky 17 year old Maradona in their side), Brazil and Italy clubbed together in one group.
In the all important match Brazil, the overwhelming favorite needed a draw and Italy a win, to qualify for the semifinals. Paolo Rossi crashed the Brazilian dream as Italy narrowly won the match and later went on to win the Cup. If we learn something from history, I would keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Yet team India needs to be cautious as not everything looks goody goody. The Cup of glory is far away and cup of woe are not over yet. Staying too long in the land Down Under has tempted our batsmen to treat the pitches as their counterparts in Rajkot or Vidarva Cricket Association ground in Nagpur back home. The perennial Achilles Heels against moving, rising deliveries isn't a thing of past. No wonder they say bowlers win matches. So far our bowlers have done a wonderful job.
I am tempted to draw parallels from the 1982 Soccer World Cup. The star studded Brazilian team with the likes of Zico, Socrates, Falcao breezed into the quarters. The legendary Pele boasted "Playing like this we are going to win the Cup". The Quarterfinals was in a league format with Argentina (with a rooky 17 year old Maradona in their side), Brazil and Italy clubbed together in one group.
In the all important match Brazil, the overwhelming favorite needed a draw and Italy a win, to qualify for the semifinals. Paolo Rossi crashed the Brazilian dream as Italy narrowly won the match and later went on to win the Cup. If we learn something from history, I would keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
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