New Delhi: All tickets for the high-voltage India-Pakistan World Cup Pool B clash in Adelaide scheduled on Feb 15 were sold out within 20 minutes. Naturally, expectations are very high when the two subcontinental rivals clash on the cricketing field, with jingoistic cries reaching up to the highest decibel.
But there are other major worries in both the rival camps. India has failed miserably in the last two months in Australia where they lost the Test series and then failed to even qualify for the Tri series final, and archrivals Pakistan were routed by the New Zealanders during their preparation for the World Cup. Both Indian and Pakistani cricket fans, alongwith the 22 players, are now more apprehensive about their team's destiny in the mega cricketing event.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, under whose leadership Team India would be defending the title, defended his team's winless campaign in the Tri series by saying, his players have been out of their country for almost two months and fatigue has taken the toll on them.
Well, if a survey were be conducted to find out how many players might have opted out due to the longevity of the tour, I am sure, most of them would have rushed to the airport to board a plane at the shortest notice, even if that meant forgetting to pick up their undergarments.
If the so-called 'tiring tour' was the reason for the dismal showing Down Under, how one would justify the consistency of Ajinkya Rahane? How would one interpret the sigh of relief on Dhoni's face when opener Shikhar Dhawan finally got some runs, if not big, in the last ODI of Tri series?
Let's face the reality and introspect honestly. Team India performed pathetically because they played poor cricket in all the department of the game. Poor shot selection, thoughtless bowling and dressing room “unrest”(Virat-Dhawan spat) are the only reasons that can be attributed to the heartbreaking performances of a team expected to do wonders ( of course, unjustified) in the World Cup, and 'fatigue'.
Legendary Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev has put it logically, “the players should skip the Indian Premier League (IPL) if they feel they are facing fatigue on a few occasions. As a professional player, there can be no lame excuses like this, if you are not performing upto the mark.”
On the other hand, Pakistan, who are struggling with the suspension of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez from bowling, were dealt a serious blow on Monday when pacer Junaid Khan was also ruled out of the World Cup due to his injury.
Batting woes aplenty, Misbah-ul-Haq's side was bulldozed by New Zealand in the two-match ODI series supposed to be 'warm ups' before the World Cup. Pakistan looks nowhere near a settled side before the big show.
Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar rings the alarm bell for Pakistan saying, “It's always the last 15-20 days that's the most crucial in a World Cup competition. It's a pattern that has emerged since 1983 when teams have got momentum in the last two weeks. In 1999, Australia peaked at right time after an indifferent start. In this World Cup its all about three good days.”
The Rawalpindi Express has termed the India-Pakistan clash at the World Cup as the 'battle of the cornered tigers.'
“India and Pakistan are cornered tigers in the tournament. I think the India versus Pakistan match will start from the dressing room itself,” Akhtar said at 'Cricket Conclave', a show organised by an Indian news channel.
Despite Pakistani fans drawing similarities of their current squad with the 1992 World Cup-winning team, Akhtar said there was no comparison to be made with Imran Khan's side.
Akhtar was all praise for Indian captain MS Dhoni, adding that his fearless approach could do wonders for his embattled team.
"With due respect and not taking any names, I have seen captains, who hide behind the team under pressure. But Dhoni is one guy who would make the team hide behind him when they are under pressure. He is one guy who doesn't know the meaning of fear," Akhtar said.
However Kapil is not all that pessimistic. He says, “if the team starts on a winning note against Pakistan then the talks of poor build up will automatically die down. If I look at it emotionally, I would say 99% but if I use my cricketing brain it would be 25% but only on account of India reaching the semifinals.”
So for God's sake, please…Teams India and Pakistan: use your cricketing brains and leave loud-throated emotions to your diehard fans.
