All around me people are talking about the World Cup final. And there's nothing wrong with that, because this event only happens every four years, and it's perfectly human to anticipate it eagerly. And there's India playing to go with it. This is only the third time India is among the two teams left to win. So is the case for their islander opponents - a lot is at stake!
This is the first all-Asian final since the birth of the event. Fitting, because the centre of the game, like Europe it is for football, has truly shifted from England, its birthplace, to the region where the sport is a religion.
Somehow, India have been named favourites. I don't think so. Maybe I'm a cynic, but the fact is that in every game, only one of the two main aspects - batting and bowling - has clicked for India. Sri Lanka is not like that - they too have world-class batsmen and superb bowlers. True, their middle-order may not be great, but that's partly because they don't need to be - the top order usually finish it or set it up for the next few to finish it painlessly. SL are also not the kind who forgive mistakes like Pakistan did.
India come into the final with two big snatches to their credit - holders Australia and Pakistan. Sri Lanka however, had it rather easy - England and New Zealand. This could mean two things - that India are fatigued after the two high-octane clashes or that they are confident to pull off a third. Or that Sri Lanka, after stammering against NZ, may falter against India, or are saving the best for the last.
This tie features two stalwarts who are probably playing their last World Cup games - Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan. It will be a dream to see the latter bowl to the former - if the Indian star hasn't walked off already by the time the spinners begin their reign. The country will want to see Sachin get his 100th 100, the World Cup Final being the perfect stage for that Bradman-esque feat. Murali would also want a final shot at overtaking Glenn McGrath's record of 71 World Cup wickets.
Two keeper-captains face-off, hoping to lift that trophy. India has the supporters at theWankhede behind them, many of whom bought the tickets for huge prices. While Sri Lanka has has a more reliable side. The teams are playing for the 30th time since June 2008, so there is no question about the teams not knowing each other. What matters is who will finish with a smile, and who will have their head bowed once again. I want to see good cricket, and like the rest of the country - an India win. But it should be a deserved one.
Who will come good?
This is the first all-Asian final since the birth of the event. Fitting, because the centre of the game, like Europe it is for football, has truly shifted from England, its birthplace, to the region where the sport is a religion.
Somehow, India have been named favourites. I don't think so. Maybe I'm a cynic, but the fact is that in every game, only one of the two main aspects - batting and bowling - has clicked for India. Sri Lanka is not like that - they too have world-class batsmen and superb bowlers. True, their middle-order may not be great, but that's partly because they don't need to be - the top order usually finish it or set it up for the next few to finish it painlessly. SL are also not the kind who forgive mistakes like Pakistan did.
India come into the final with two big snatches to their credit - holders Australia and Pakistan. Sri Lanka however, had it rather easy - England and New Zealand. This could mean two things - that India are fatigued after the two high-octane clashes or that they are confident to pull off a third. Or that Sri Lanka, after stammering against NZ, may falter against India, or are saving the best for the last.
This tie features two stalwarts who are probably playing their last World Cup games - Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan. It will be a dream to see the latter bowl to the former - if the Indian star hasn't walked off already by the time the spinners begin their reign. The country will want to see Sachin get his 100th 100, the World Cup Final being the perfect stage for that Bradman-esque feat. Murali would also want a final shot at overtaking Glenn McGrath's record of 71 World Cup wickets.
Two keeper-captains face-off, hoping to lift that trophy. India has the supporters at theWankhede behind them, many of whom bought the tickets for huge prices. While Sri Lanka has has a more reliable side. The teams are playing for the 30th time since June 2008, so there is no question about the teams not knowing each other. What matters is who will finish with a smile, and who will have their head bowed once again. I want to see good cricket, and like the rest of the country - an India win. But it should be a deserved one.
Who will come good?
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