[Eddy]

Originally Posted by saisree

Says, heat was one of the factors for their loss.

They've been known to be crybabies since forever and blame everything under the sun (pun intended).

[dust-n-bones]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

Today's game might end up to be a last over finish. And I hope SA beat England

Originally Posted by AtheK

It is still fun to watch match in stadium but I think this might be my last 50 over match in a stadium, this format is just too long.

How ironic it is that there was a 50 over final precisely 4 years ago when even a super over was insufficient to declare the champions.
Now the t-20 pace dictates the game. No team (except maybe Pakistan who are considered dinosaurs) has bothered to adapt their game to the 50 over format. We can expect fireworks for some 20 over bursts, but a nail-biter seems unlikely now.

Originally Posted by saisree

What a play by Proteas. England was no match to the play exhibited. Butler is unhappy on the heat in the afternoon. Says, heat was one of the factors for their loss.

All commentators were describing the struggle with the Mumbai heat. Hansen said as much during the post-match. Klaasen's struggle during the last 10 overs was something to be seen. If you've fielded 50 overs in that frying pan, it must be very hard to focus when you come out to bat.

Maybe Mumbai needs an air-conditioned stadium, similar to the Qatari football stadia.

[AtheK]

In all honesty its time to put a lid to this format, every team gas played 4 matches each not even one good game till now, what a dud. Focus on T20 and tests, that is the only future.

[Revvatron]

Originally Posted by AtheK

In all honesty its time to put a lid to this format, every team gas played 4 matches each not even one good game till now, what a dud. Focus on T20 and tests, that is the only future.

Agreed. I think this is first time we are seeing such one sided matches were matches are done and dusted by 25 over mark. Just look at the NRR of the top half of teams, pretty much all of them have won by huge margins. Once this world cup finishes we can expect major names retiring from the format.
I think only t20's are the future. Test matches are already on thin ice. Apart from couple of series, majority of them don't pull any viewership. Once the current crop of players like Virat, Smith retire it will plummet even more.Biggest red flag is that even administration is least interested in test matches.

[harry10]

I am glad seeing England at bottom

Unless something drastic happens I believe semis are looking more or less as -

1. India
2. SA
3. NZ
4. Aus/Pak

I believe Aussies have much better chance and team to qualify for that 4th spot. They have a better team than Pak and usually Aussies raise their game in World cups. Top 3 spots are more or less confirmed considering the form and matches left for these teams.

England seems uninterested as a unit and with Topley being out of WC they are going to struggle even more.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by harry10

I am glad seeing England at bottom

Today is a rehearsal of WC 2023 final. By the logic of many overthinkers, today who loses the match shall be the WC champions haha.

My playing XI would be:

R Sharma
S Gill
V Kohli
S Iyer
KL Rahul (wk)
I Kishan
R Jadeja
R Ashwin
M Shami
K Yadav
J Bhumrah

[ValarMorghulis]

India needs to win today for the simple fact that the semi finals are scheduled as:
#1 vs #4 and #2 vs # 3.
South Africa is scheduled to be #3 for sure and we don't want to face them in the semis itself :P they have a better chance of choking in the finals.

[Joeboy]

India is sure to finish at the top the table but regarding the 2nd, 3rd and 4th spots we have to wait and watch. I think it would be very difficult for any of the current teams to beat India in India and so expect India to lift the cup easily. Having said that the 50 over format does not bring in much fans anymore as T20 has taken over. I really believe that 50 over format has be done away with and only T20 and tests should be played.

[whencut86]

Originally Posted by AtheK

In all honesty its time to put a lid to this format, every team gas played 4 matches each not even one good game till now, what a dud. Focus on T20 and tests, that is the only future.

This was the case in all previous World Cups as well. Just that with all the frenzy around, we have forgotten those. 2019 WC had only 4-5 close matches of which one was the final. So I don't see a big change in that this time.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

Today is a rehearsal of WC 2023 final. By the logic of many overthinkers, today who loses the match shall be the WC champions haha.

My playing XI would be:

R Sharma
S Gill
V Kohli
S Iyer
KL Rahul (wk)
I Kishan
R Jadeja
R Ashwin
M Shami
K Yadav
J Bhumrah

Don't wanna jump the gun to declare who will be 2023 finalists as SA is looking most dangerous of the lot and we can never discard Aussies if they qualify for semis

However, we need to win today. Not only to avenge the 2019 loss but most importantly to gain the psychological edge over NZ and break the jinx of losing to them in World cups.

I don't think team will bench Siraj although he should be considering his performance so far and primarily because he hasn't taken any wickets in powerplay which is crucial.

I will play SKY at 6 than Ishan. Ishan can't play in middle order and he struggles big against spin as his rotation of strike isn't good. Plus number six is a finisher role which SKY can do much better than Ishan. Ishan do have the advantage of being a lefty.

As match is in Dharmashala they should Ideally play Shami in place of Thakur. I don't mind Ashwin too as he provides some batting cushion. If Thakur plays again over these 2 then it's proven management is bull headed.

[smnrock]

Earlier everyone was bashing KL Rahul, now it is Shardul . Poor guy who is supposed to be a break-through bowler when all frontline bowlers go wicketless and get thrashed in a unlucky day. In fact he is famous for twin wicket overs.

I just hope management persist with him unless pitch is spin friendly from ball one.

[harry10]

Originally Posted by harry10

I will play SKY at 6 than Ishan. Ishan can't play in middle order and he struggles big against spin as his rotation of strike isn't good. Plus number six is a finisher role which SKY can do much better than Ishan. Ishan do have the advantage of being a lefty.

As match is in Dharmashala they should Ideally play Shami in place of Thakur. I don't mind Ashwin too as he provides some batting cushion. If Thakur plays again over these 2 then it's proven management is bull headed.

SKY and Shami playing and Thakur is out. Seems I can be a good selector

Good we won toss and elected to field first. Batting is a little brilltle considering Jadeja is last recognized batter but if top 7 can't chase it then I don't have many hopes from last 4.

First time playing genuine 5 bowlers together so I am expecting a good performance.

[Revvatron]

Would like to see few matches where we bat first against big teams so to see if bowling can defend a total. Would be good to have that out of the way before knockouts.
On side note definitely didn't except NZ to perform this good. They were poor in build up to the world cup. Definitely thought them and RSA would struggle in our conditions

[PPS]

Calculated assault this on Kuldeep by the Kiwis! They knew India don't have a 6th bowler, so looks like our batting unit will be challenged today for the first time this WC. NZ seamers will definitely enjoy bowling in the initial overs irrespective of dew.

[VWAllstar]

Enjoying our pace bowling (hardly ever I thought I would say this) Shami silently telling Dravid & Sharma, why he should have been in the playing XI from match 1. I hope he gets 5 wicket haul

Edit: Phew, I thought I jinxed it. Very well bowled Shami.