India-Australia...

What a match...!!!

The match was swinging both ways throughout the day...

Toss has always been a major factor while playing in subcontinental pitches. Ponting might have smelt victory as soon as he won the toss and elected to bat first. Watson & Haddin gave a solid start. But, Indians struck regularly to keep the game in balance. Superb second spell bowling by Zaheer, economical bowling by Harbhajan, Unpredictable bowling by Ashwin, and Yuvi!!! I've no words.. He's bowling better than any other bowler in this tournament.

They say, "When any batsman is out of form, he isn't scoring runs, make them bat against India." Ponting found his lost form and scored a well deserved, well timed 100.

Chasing 261 on an Indian pitches was not a big deal, But scoring it against the Aussies was the real challenge. There are no words for their commitment. And there are no words for Indian batting line-up either. A solid start by Sachin and Sehwag. Good partnerships between Gambhir-Kohli and Yuvraj-Gambhir in the middle overs. And after series of Gambhir-mixups and Dhoni's irresponsible batting, It was Yuvi and Raina who led India towards the winning mark.

Yuvi, received his 4th man-of-the-match of this worldcup. He's in geat touch. 4 fifties, a 100 and 11 wickets. Indeed a top contender for Man-of-the-series. And I never thought that Raina would be playing any matches in this world cup. He was always a better option compared to Y.Pathan. Raina has loads of experience of playing in Indian pitches. His pull shots and a huge six of Bret Lee over long on were pleasure to watch.

Another highlight of the day was Sachin reaching his 18k runs in ODIs. He is a solar-powered-run-machine.

We had a great match of cricket. Looking at the quality of cricket both the teams played, I think this match had to be the finals of this world cup....

India in quarters...

Well, India isn't through to the quarters yet...
A worst scenario can knock out India before the knockout stage.

Scenario:
Bangladesh should beat SouthAfrica and WestIndies should beat India very badly.

Very badly conditions:
If India bat first: India scores 150, Windies should chase it in 21.3 overs.
India scores 200, Windies should chase it in 21.4 overs.
India scores 250, Windies Should chase it in 22.1 overs.
India scores 300, Windies Should chase it in 22.3 overs.
India scores 350, Windies Should chase it in 23.0 overs.
If Windies bat first: Windies scrore 350, India should be bowled out within 186runs.
Windies scrore 300, India should be bowled out within 139runs.
Windies scrore 250, India should be bowled out within 92runs.
Windies scrore 200, India should be bowled out within 45runs.

These are my calculations.. there might be an error of (+/-)3balls or (+/-)10runs..

Sumne tamashege.....

Click on the pic...