The cricket world cup which is undoubtedly the biggest cricketing extravaganza will unfold in less than 20 days from now. The mega event is being conducted in the Indian sub continent after a gap of 15 years (last one being held in 1996).a lot has changed since the 96 edition. With the growing emergence of team India over the last decade or so (being the no 1 team in test cricket & no 2 in ODI cricket), India surely will be the team to watch out for in this world cup. The Indian cricketers enjoy a near demigod status in their country and are revered by the resident Indians all throughout the world. The sheer weight of expectations on MS Dhoni & Co will be humongous not to suggest that the team is not accustomed to such lofty expectations but this time there will be that added sort of pressure considering the fact that India is one of the hosts this time around. The cricketing fever has already gripped the country. Such will be the enormity of the fever that all throughout the duration of the world cup, cricket will pre-occupy the minds of people from all the genres of life. Be it the paanwala at the nokkad on the blazing hot streets or the IT professionals sitting in their air conditioned offices one thing is sure that cricket will be the point of debate for the next 2 months or so.
The format of the world cup is such that all the 8 major test playing nations will advance through to the next round (quarter final stage) .the real contest will begin at the quarter final stage with no room for any kind of mistake as one loss and the dream of winning the cup will be shattered forever. Unlike the earlier editions of the world cup there will be no scope for comeback for any losing team with the 4 teams out of the 8 will advance through to the semi finals stage. The only point of interest is that the team topping the group in the 1st round will reap the rewards by facing a comparatively lesser opponent in the quarter final stage. Even though Australia is the top ranked ODI team in world cricket, India will be the team to beat in this edition. The Indian team will enjoy the crowd support but will also have to focus on playing good cricket as the expectations of over a billion people can be daunting even for the best of champions. If the Indian team is able to handle the nerve then they have the potential of repeating the history of 1983. The Indian team is well balanced considering the fact that matches will be played on good batting decks in spinner friendly conditions. The batting power play could hold the key with explosive batsmen like Yusuf pathan & yuvraj singh in their armour. Bowlers like R Ashwin and Zaheer khan will be the lynchpin of the bowling attack. It also will be one final opportunity for the god of Indian cricket Sachin tendulkar to realize his dream of winning the world cup. It will be the perfect jewel in the crown in the maestro’s career.
It is a great opportunity for the cricketing fans all over the world and especially in India to witness this mega event unfold in front of their eyes. I for one have waited for 15 years and cannot wait any longer to witness the magic of the world cup. It is also the responsibility of the fans to enjoy the process of the event and support the home team in large numbers. The cricketing fans are an essential ingredient of the game and they will have a blast during the 40 odd days. It is absolutely vital that this event be a roaring success and may the best team win the world cup.
