I want this to be the best day of my life - Go Sachin Go!!!

Finally the big day has arrived. Yes, it's arguably the last appearance of Sachin Tendulkar in the World Cups. And there can't be a better way for him to finish than this - WC final, Playing in front of his Mumbai home crowd, 100th Ton awaiting round the corner & Most importantly his Dream to win a WC is just 100 overs away.

I know he has done enough for India. Like others, I have been following him since 1989. It's been 22 years that he has been playing a big role in my life bringing excitement whenever he is in the middle. I know I am not the only one. There are billion, even more devoted, fans around the world. What will he do today? If you read my previous blogs, you will realize that my predictions have almost come true about this man. He has picked up at the right time. I am damn sure that he is reaching his 100th ton today. I am damn sure that Indian team will pay the best tribute to this master by helping win this WC.

Fingers crossed for this big match, all the best Sachin, all the best India. I hope they will make this day, 2nd April 2011, the most memorable day of my life.

Go India, Go!!!

A dismal performance by India against England

Well, sometimes complacence is very dangerous. It can lift the spirit of your opposition to such an extent that you would be scared to face him in future. I am talking about yesterday's match against England. The complacency set in immediately after Sachin departed. It looked as if everybody got out thinking there are enough players to take it till the end. And sadly, we lost 7 wickets in quick succession. Most of them got out because of bad shots, not really because of good balls. And we got so carried away that, Munaf forgot to touch the creeze while going for a 2nd run. In spite of all bad things, we managed to reach 338. Then the bowling began with the over-confidence that we would win any-way. And that feeling turned the game around, in favor of England. Strauss was out-of-the-world yesterday with his stroke selections, almost following the path Sachin took to his century. At one point I felt quite disappointing to see the body language of Indians. It looked as if they have accepted the defeat without trying. I honestly wanted England to win so that Indians could have learnt a good lesson. Sadly it ended in a draw. But atleast it was a moral loss for India since England could reach such a mammoth total while chasing. Hopefully that will help them to look at their weaker areas (bowling & fielding) with more seriousness & perform better in the games to come!!! 

Classy innings from Sachin - 47th ODI Century...

What an innings from Sachin Tendulkar! Somehow from the beginning, I had a feeling that he is eyeing for something big today. But I wasn't sure how far he would go. The start was very soft, not really competing with the pace of Sehwag or Gambhir. He was of his own, playing slowly, without taking any kind of chances. Yes, I could see that strong self-belief to catch up with his strike rate as game progresses & he did it in fact. Those 5 big & confident sixes reminded me of Old Sachin who used to be very aggressive. I read somewhere - that he had hinted for more aggression in WC this time & he is already on his way. More than anything else, I would remember this innings for it's slowly-built-pace & incredible-self-confidence!

Hoping to see Sachin getting another 3 centuries in this world-cup!!!

India was amazing in 1st game

Well, it's yet another toss that Dhoni lost, but it's a good one to loose. I thought Shakib's decision to bowl fast was not really well thought, considering the pressure situation that you would put yourself in front of home crowd against a tough opponent.Even if India would have scored ~250, Bangladesh would have found it difficult to reach there for 2 reasons - 1. The ball was really keeping low & slow (you would have seen how Kohli was finding it difficult to play his shots), hence scoring would have been tough against Indian spinners, 2. Since Shakib said 260 would be a good total, his side would have felt the pressure even more since home crowd would have expected them to chase.

They scored 282 against India's 370, because they were not under any pressure. They knew from the beginning that they wouldn't be able to reach there anyway. But 250 from India would have put them in heavy pressure, & going by their experience I am sure they would have got out in less than 200!!!

Sehwag was amazing, though he had a very restless start. Virat is doing good, taking full advantage of the break through that he got in last few series. Pressure to maintain his position in Indian side is making him play better. I think Suresh Raina must be now concerned about his position & hence I believe he will also have a good come back in the coming matches!!!

Way to Go India!!! Hope India wins this WC.....Good luck!!!

Sachin's last WC begins (though he doesn't agree openly....)

I am almost certain that 2011 WC is the last world cup for Sachin. He had a good start in the 1st match against Bangaladesh, playing very maturedly without taking much risk. He was going well run-a-ball, when he got run out to a mistake completely of his own. He scored 28 of 29 balls. But, to me it's the perfect start that I would have loved to see. Because, I feel had he got a good knock here, he mayn't have the best of world cup ths time. By scoring just 28, he went back in desperation wanting for more. This essentially means he would come out with more determination in the next match. This determination will build up till he reaches one century.

My prediction is - Sachin will build up his innings as WC progresses & he would play some magnificent cricket in Semi Final & Final to bring back the glory to India.

Can India pull it up against SA?

It was an amazing Test Match for Kallis. He proved why he deserves as much respect as Sachin does. And I believe he is the best alrounder the world has seen so far.  4th day started with lots of hope for India when Harbhajan took wickets in quick intervals. And after that it felt like an ordinary attack from India. Boucher & Kallis together took it completely away from India. I felt quite disappointed. Having set a target of 340, I am sure SA is almost 99% sure that they won't loose.What could be the strategy from India perspective? Will they try to win today? If they play defensive, I am sure the game will wind up by tea time, India loosing. If at all there is any feeble chance of India winning, then it all depends on Sehwag. I think his sheer presence for 40-50 overs will make the opponent feel negative about their chances. I think Sehwag will be clearly asked by Dhoni to stick around for as much time possible. Gambhir - I feel he will find it difficult to stay on the wicket due to his injury. I also have a feeling, this will be the last chance for Dravid to make a come back. If he fails again, then it will be wise for him announce his retirement as soon as possible (so that he can at least get one more series to play as a parting gift :)). If Sehwag goes early, then Dravid, Sachin & Laxman needs to play for draw. Going by law of average, I am not sure if Laxman can make it big today.Hence Dravid & Sachin needs to play it out till the end.... Let's see...

Watch out for Paul Harris!!!

Twenty Eleven - Will this be the year of celebration for Indian Cricket?

Indian Cricket was on a song in 2010 with some real amazing performances. Will they be able to continue with same momentum in 2011? Will they be able to notch the World Cup, which has stayed as a dream since 1983?

Sachin, Dhoni, Sehwag, Gambhir, Harbhajan, Zaheer - Will they be able to live up to expectations of billion hearts? Sachin hasn't played any one-dayer since February 2010. I am sure the Master has saved his best for the big occasion. Dhoni - I am quite impressed with his "cool & calm composure" in pressure situations. More than his batting & keeping, I have faith on his leadership. He is quite a character & his on-field attitude makes him quite different from others. As an exemplary leader, he has trust in his teammates, knows how to fire them up when required. Zaheer has been in his best form, though his fitness has been a great concern. Hopefully he gives no surprises for the world-cup. Bhajji - On Indian Subcontinent, he is going to be our key warhead. Sehwag - Well we all know what he is capable of. I am sure "Sehwag-Sachin-Gambhir" trio will give nightmare to most of the teams in the world cup.

Let's hope the Indian team manages to give the best parting gift to Sachin!!! Good luck guys...