[Eddy]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Don't think India will be that charitable to anyone. It's an all round bad idea. You want to enter the semis playing your best cricket. We may still lose but I don't see how India will strive for that result.

You misunderstand me. I am not recommending India do this, but merely stating that it has been done before in a cricket world cup.

Never should India step on a field not wanting to win 100%.

Really really hoping that NZ beat Pakistan tomorrow.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Really really hoping that NZ beat Pakistan tomorrow.

same here! i want both ENG and PAK to get knocked out. I don't want them to have even a remote chance of qualifying! i don't mind having any other teams except these two.
ENG - I want this team to continue their record of never winning the CWC even after 100 years
PAK - No guess on why i don't want them to be in semis

[2000rpm]

The world-cup is finally heating up. I wish SA would have played one match better so that they could have been in the hunt.

I wish Bangladesh to be the 4th team.

I wish we knock England out of the tournament, they are as bad chokers as SA in my opinion. They had everything going right, but didnt have the brains of a Rohit and the grit of a Dhawan. Their chases were easy ones for the kind of talent they have.

In my view, this is the most professional Indian team I have ever seen. They players are mature, everyone speaks the team language consistently (including supporting staff), every player looks hungry (except Vijay Shanker :P).

The team has carried themselves very well, on and off the field. Full credit to Virat Kohli, who has aggression but no Ego (listens to Dhoni on all DRS reviews, fields at the outfield while Dhoni plays captain, takes inputs from Rohit without any conflict). The whole leadership dynamic in the Indian team can be a case study.

[mac187]

If this Aussie team becomes finalist or wins the world cup, all of us should bow down with respect to this 'Aussie process'. 6 months ago this team looked like they will be rolled over but they have shown immense character and fight to become the first Qualifiers. That is going to give them alot of confidence. All this with Smith playing at the wrong spot. He is a number 3 batsmen, if they elevate him, can't imagine the scores they can post on these English pitches.

For the Indian team this is the side to beat now. The English boys look out of sorts, the right time to deliver a knock out punch and the black caps will do the rest.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by mac187

I

For the Indian team this is the side to beat now. The English boys look out of sorts, the right time to deliver a knock out punch and the black caps will do the rest.

We have already beaten them and we can do it easily again. Aussies barring warner and finch aren't doing anything great. Khawaja, smith, maxwell, stoinis form a very shaky middle order and time and again in this tournament they have failed to built on the start given by their openers. Like yesterday they should have posted minimum 330 after a 113 opening stand but they collapsed.

I said at the start of the tournament that England and their bat deep is overrated and it has been proven. The trend has changed. It's the great bowling and fielding effort which wins you the games now just like Australia did yesterday. That's why I rate India above others cos our bowling is great and fielding has been top notch. We have dropped only 1 catch till now among all teams.

Anyways, my heart wants pakistan to lose today but head doesn't want NZ to win as that affects our chances of being table toppers( their RR is much better than us). Quite a dilemma

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

The whole leadership dynamic in the Indian team can be a case study.

What is Ravi Shastri role in here? He deserves credit too . The key detail is ODI is the favourite format of Kohli, Dhoni, Rohit and no surprise that they are revelling in it.

Originally Posted by mac187

If this Aussie team becomes finalist or wins the world cup, all of us should bow down with respect to this 'Aussie process'. 6 months ago this team looked like they will be rolled over but they have shown immense character and fight to become the first Qualifiers.

6 months back, they didn't have Smith, Warner and, Finch was out of form. Smith, Warner are back and Finch has hit a purple patch, being the leading run scorer in this WC. This is the difference on why they are at the top instead of competing for SA's place in the table.

For the Indian team this is the side to beat now.

India have already beaten them.

Wanted to 'commit suicide' after loss to India: Pakisthan coach Arthur - Shades of Bob Woolmer?

Originally Posted by 2000rpm

Their chases were easy ones for the kind of talent they have.

Except for Root, the rest of England batsmen are T20 specialists, trying their hand in ODI (also in Tests). On their day, they will hit 233 from 20 overs (between overs 30 & 50, as against Afghanistan) and can fail to get 233 in 50 overs (as against SL).

Originally Posted by am1m

But still think that was an irresponsible remark from a former Eng captain.

India can still "rest" their key players against SL, in preparation for the semi-finals. So former English captain is not entirely off the mark.

[mac187]

Originally Posted by msdivy

India have already beaten them.

Yes, we have beaten them in this round. I hope I am not making a mountain out of a mole here. Aussies have played well in the last two/ three games especially when other so called top teams have had shock losses.

Will Pant get a game against Eng? I would like him to get a game and do this WC debut with Eng too.

[Eddy]

And here I am wondering why Starc has started swinging his deliveries ever since Warner and Smith have come back to the team

Originally Posted by harry10

Anyways, my heart wants pakistan to lose today but head doesn't want NZ to win as that affects our chances of being table toppers( their RR is much better than us). Quite a dilemma

Unless Bangladesh or Sri Lanka qualify - any permutation of SFs clash should be equally tough for India. So let's support NZ and hope they knock out Pak today. Although I feel that Pak will thrash 'em.

[rovingeye]

Wow! Pakistan weaving some magic here. Is the law of averages catching up with NZ, finally?

46/4 in 12.3 overs?

Kane still there though.

[Eddy]

It's not law of averages. It's the curse of Pakistan. Damn !!!

[aditya.86]

Originally Posted by Eddy

It's not law of averages. It's the curse of Pakistan. Damn !!!

Looks like Pakistan will somehow make the semis (though i don't want them to). Their last 2 fixtures are against Afghanistan and Bangladesh if they manage to beat NZ tonight.

[sukiwa]

Talking of eerie similarities, will New Zealand go past 166 in this game?

[pratyush6]

I fully expected Australia to go through. They are and they will pretty much always be the team to beat in a WC. India has beaten them in the group stages and that augurs well for us.
NZ Vs Pak - I have no confidence in NZ beating Pak. And with Pak's last 2 games being Afg & BD; Only BD can cause them some headaches, only if the pitch suits spin. However, Pak being Pak, you never know, they can drop their guards and even lose to Afg.

Ideal scenario - Pak beat NZ and get beaten by either Afg/BD
England - Tough games for them now. India & NZ - They would need to win atleast one to atleast have a chance if Pak/SL slip.

Lets see, this is turning out to be a wee bit interesting.

PS. Please drop Vijay and play Pant. Vijay is a probably the worst choice at No.4 or even in the team. He should only play when Pandya is injured. Also, do people here feel KL is losing his touch at opening? He scored some but did not look good.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by pratyush6

Ideal scenario - Pak beat NZ and get beaten by either Afg/BD

If this happens, dinner is on me if and when we meet

[vinit.merchant]

What a fight back by NZ, although, set batsman Grandhomme just got run out as I type this, but this come back from NZ is commendable, and for sure, it is not going to be easy for Pak to chase now.