When all roads were leading to Mohali, how could the traffic sustain in Mumbai. Mumbai seemed deserted today. Scarcely filled locals, less traffic, no taxis, and all eyes glued to screens whether office or homes. Cricket World Cup Semi-Finals, India vs Pakistan, an event at which both countries, irrespective of any discrimination, look forward to. Indeed, it was a connoisseurs delight, a complete powerplay and not limited to a couple of overs. There could be no better combination of Cricket and Commerce which this time went a step ahead encapsulating brotherhood, diplomacy, celebrities and power.
Sehwag at his natural best provided the magnificent punch India needed for a great start. India cheered as he repeatedly forced the ball beyond the boundary. Cricket could have attained another extravaganza and India could have practically scored 300+ if he could have stayed for another few overs. Even the pitch did not like Sehwag's dismissal as it gradually paved way for spinners and India's run rate declined. Sachin could also have followed Sehwag to pavilion had it not been Sachin's luck acting as a blessing in disguise that helped Sachin help India attain a defend-able score. Yuvi couldn't even open his account, drifting away from his consistent batting performance during the series. MS tried his part but it's Raina who needs an extra pat on the back for driving India to 260 in 50 overs. Towards the end of Indian innings, the country had a mixed reaction on the fate of match.
Bowling and fielding both were superb. Perhaps, Indian batting was also at its best but for the changing behavior of the pitch. As the pitch had become slow and favored the spinners in the first innings, once it seemed that India might have made a mistake with only Bhajji playing as a spinner with little help from Yuvi. However, pacers were not only consistent on their line and length but they also used deceptive variations in speed to take wickets. While both Zaheer and Patel kept the Pakistani batsmen under pressure, I am extremely happy for Nehra who at last got the wickets after an extremely spell-bounded economical bowling. May be it was the haunting criticism that he received for his last over in the previous match that made him put the much needed extra effort. Fielding couldn't have been better and it's appreciable to see it improving with each game.
As India beat Pakistan with 29 runs, all Indians are happy. But there is a South African too who is celebrating it with much joy and contentment. Gary Kirstan would be much delighted to see a complete team India ready for the finals as first India's batting got tested against Australia and now bowling again Pakistan. In my last blog I had criticized whether Indian team can exhibit a complete cricket. With no better expectations than this in fielding, it's a happier moment to see India attaining that momentum before the finals.
Victory is never smooth. Loosing the battle makes it worse. Afridi congratulated India with lots of grace. Yet, billions of eyes witnessing each moment as naked truth will raise their own questions. I see it as an opportunity lost for Pakistan as you cannot be rewarded for dropping six catches in a single match including four of Sachin Tendulkar. Could a batting powerplay taken when Afridi was charging his skipper innings with Misbah have altered Pakistan's fate? When Misbah could hit those boundaries in the last overs, why did he wait for the eleventh hour? Alas, whatever you think now, roads are now leading towards Mumbai where India takes on Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals 2011. All the best to both the teams.
Sehwag at his natural best provided the magnificent punch India needed for a great start. India cheered as he repeatedly forced the ball beyond the boundary. Cricket could have attained another extravaganza and India could have practically scored 300+ if he could have stayed for another few overs. Even the pitch did not like Sehwag's dismissal as it gradually paved way for spinners and India's run rate declined. Sachin could also have followed Sehwag to pavilion had it not been Sachin's luck acting as a blessing in disguise that helped Sachin help India attain a defend-able score. Yuvi couldn't even open his account, drifting away from his consistent batting performance during the series. MS tried his part but it's Raina who needs an extra pat on the back for driving India to 260 in 50 overs. Towards the end of Indian innings, the country had a mixed reaction on the fate of match.
Bowling and fielding both were superb. Perhaps, Indian batting was also at its best but for the changing behavior of the pitch. As the pitch had become slow and favored the spinners in the first innings, once it seemed that India might have made a mistake with only Bhajji playing as a spinner with little help from Yuvi. However, pacers were not only consistent on their line and length but they also used deceptive variations in speed to take wickets. While both Zaheer and Patel kept the Pakistani batsmen under pressure, I am extremely happy for Nehra who at last got the wickets after an extremely spell-bounded economical bowling. May be it was the haunting criticism that he received for his last over in the previous match that made him put the much needed extra effort. Fielding couldn't have been better and it's appreciable to see it improving with each game.
As India beat Pakistan with 29 runs, all Indians are happy. But there is a South African too who is celebrating it with much joy and contentment. Gary Kirstan would be much delighted to see a complete team India ready for the finals as first India's batting got tested against Australia and now bowling again Pakistan. In my last blog I had criticized whether Indian team can exhibit a complete cricket. With no better expectations than this in fielding, it's a happier moment to see India attaining that momentum before the finals.
Victory is never smooth. Loosing the battle makes it worse. Afridi congratulated India with lots of grace. Yet, billions of eyes witnessing each moment as naked truth will raise their own questions. I see it as an opportunity lost for Pakistan as you cannot be rewarded for dropping six catches in a single match including four of Sachin Tendulkar. Could a batting powerplay taken when Afridi was charging his skipper innings with Misbah have altered Pakistan's fate? When Misbah could hit those boundaries in the last overs, why did he wait for the eleventh hour? Alas, whatever you think now, roads are now leading towards Mumbai where India takes on Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals 2011. All the best to both the teams.
India was rated way better team then Pakistan, and people were speculating India to win the game with an ease. However the impressive cricket showcased by Afridi and gang. They were able to pressurize worlds best betting line up. Afridi used his bowlers wisely so most of them were profitable. Hope India would act like an stronger team in finale and win the World Cup.
ReplyDeleteOne of the highlights was nehra ; )..
ReplyDeleteHe bowled superbly, not sure whether that was due to pitch, but voracious criticism seems to get best off the lad. It was an epitome of true sportsmanship when he denied getting clean catch off afridi's shot, in spite in dire straits of game !
Well done team india, if only Dhoni can bat as well now :D
Its quite obvious in the clash of titans, the team which will play a disciplined game of cricket and can handle huge pressure of spectators, media, politicians and millions of people, gonna win the match. No matter with what combination of team, they are playing on papers. Exactly same happened, it was looking as a spinning track quite unlikely in Mohali and Dhoni's decision of dropping Ashwin not turned out to be a bad decision at all..All boys bowled well including under performed Nehra.
ReplyDeleteAfter losing a high profile game, probably Pakis gonna suffer a lot of criticisms, however their boys have performed far more better than expected. There was a time nobody was anticipating them to be in Semis, they have shown a tremendous level of confidence and commitment in the entire championship even their moral was not at acme a month ago. The positive things come out for them in this tournament are team spirit and temperament shown by of the young players. They have bright future for sure.
However what matters at the end of the day is, who is Sikander??...I was thinking before the match..Should Dhoni has to quit captaincy if the team will loose this high profile game, same as Ponting and Smith have done??..After lot of mind boggling, I come to the conclusion -..No.. He is a clever captain.. Forms are temperory for great players. If he is giving us a taste of Victory without performing on the scale.. I am happy.. Anyways..one more battle to go to make a dream come true after a long span of 28 years...Lets hope for a fantastic match..big fight and lets the best team win..i.e. Boys in Blues..Cheers !!
Think Blue ... Bleed Blue !!..Wat a Day 30th March India v/s Pakistan. Very good team work by Indians and a good fight given by neighbours but wat I missed were impressive 4's and 6's in the match.. Only Sehwag made Indians cheer initially else there was a time when every Indian was sitting with fingers crossed. Wish there were some sixes that would have come Indians way ..which Pakistanis managed to hit..But having said I can't take the credit from The Indian Team.:)
ReplyDeletekeep the spirit of cricket alive till finals and deeeee Ghumake !!!!
As I know nothing about cricket, I was wondering if there were any Pakistani supporters attending the match? And if so, did they end up with fighting each other, just as what happens between football supporters here in Europe? Or is Cricket a more gentleman's game where this doesn't happen? (Hope so)
ReplyDeleteGuys, I started this blog to formalize my thoughts and had never even anticipated this overwhelming response. Thanks to all u guys for visiting my blog, sharing your thoughts and encouraging me ahead.
ReplyDelete@ Robin : I wish someday you'll love cricket equally as you love football. There was a time when crowd behaved like hooligans during the match. Things have now changed for better. There were special arrangements for more than 3000 Pakistani spectators and Pakistan's PM also shared his space with Indian PM and the team of beaurocrats and diplomats from both the sides. The entire event was peaceful and cheerful.
These are the sentiments why we call it a religion in India rather than refering it as a game :)
Indians started off well with the 4's from Sehwagg..But Pakistan started building pressure on us rite from the start.. We lost a wicket even before making a half century..We bowled well but our bating could have been much more better..But at the end - All is well that ends well.. The team spirit of the INDIAN cricket team has once again made us feel proud.. Kudos to them.. Wish them Luck for the Finals...
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