[NPV]

New Zealand seem on target to win this game against Sri Lanka in 25 odd overs which essentially spells doom for Pakistan who will be left with a hypothetical chance to qualify for the semifinals.

[kavensri]

Originally Posted by AtheK

They have to first win to begin with!! England will be waiting to dig into there bowling and also eyeing the spot in Champions trophy. Barring miracle, seems like it is a repat of 2019 Semi Final next wednesday at Wankhede.

With SL losing (almost) the match today, I guess SL and NED would be the teams to miss out for the champions trophy. ENG seems to be safe, unless NED upset IND.

[Shumi_21]

Rachin Ravindra is having the World Cup campaign that we expected from Shubman Gill.

[AtheK]

Here are the scenarios for Afghanistan and Pakistan to Qualify.

Afghanistan needs to win by a mammoth 438 runs against South Africa.

Pakistan have to win by 287 runs, in case england bats first and let's presume there weak bowling has an amazing day and bowl out England for 150, they will need to chase it in 3.4 overs.

So India vs New Zealand Semi final is pretty much confirmed at this point.

[dust-n-bones]

Apologies for plugging this channel again, but check their interview of Maxwell after his heroics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycjs...JhaXJpZSBmaXJl

Maxwell describes how he uses mind-games on the field, what he's learnt of subcontinental players in IPL and how he's learnt to use that to his advantage. He describes how he actually trained to bat without foot movement.

All the while, there's great leg pulling, Maxwell frankly accepting he throws his wicket away, Aussie v/s England subtext without ever conflating a sports rivalry to a war.

Ah, how much we loose by putting our celebs on a pedestal, who can then only be worshipped.

[narayans80]

After all screw ups that Kiwis did the last few matches. They've pulled it back and confirmed their semifinal tickets.

Its nigh impossible for Pakistan and Afghanistan to overhaul such a big NRR deficit even if they win their last match.

Barring India, for whom its been an one way traffic. For every other team, its just a battle of mediocrities this World Cup.

[dust-n-bones]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Barring India, for whom its been an one way traffic. For every other team, its just a battle of mediocrities this World Cup.

Its a scary situation for a game, of which a 'World Cup' can barely throw up 4 teams for a semi-final. Out of which, three count cricket as their 3rd or lesser priority.

Maybe olympics will add some fresh energy. But even that is T-20s, which gets depressing after a point with no contest left between bat and ball.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by dust-n-bones

Its a scary situation for a game, of which a 'World Cup' can barely throw up 4 teams for a semi-final. Out of which, three count cricket as their 3rd or lesser priority.

You raise a very good point. But I think it doesn't matter for the financial health of the game. As long as the top 3-4 teams are doing well, their domestic market will ensure the game goes on. And a win for us here will ensure that the biggest domestic market of them all will do even better. (Even the 'cricket' thread on our forum is basically the 'Indian cricket' thread. )

The rise of plucky teams like Afghanistan are great, but I really don't see cricket spreading significantly to other nations. Ultimately I see it becoming like baseball in the US. Several countries play baseball, but it's basically one really, really lucrative market/audience and a host of leagues. Enough really to keep the game going.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by dust-n-bones

Its a scary situation for a game, of which a 'World Cup' can barely throw up 4 teams for a semi-final. Out of which, three count cricket as their 3rd or lesser priority.

Maybe olympics will add some fresh energy. But even that is T-20s, which gets depressing after a point with no contest left between bat and ball.

Its a natural progression for the game as it climbs higher in the monetary aspect. Pick any major team sport in the world (especially money making), you'll see it fits in a mix of two constructs where the latter sees more success financially.

1. A country based team setup with the national team being the highest tier (with subsequent lower tiers below it)
2. A for-profit club based team setup with a few successful tournaments being the highest tier (with subsequent lower level tournaments below it)

Basketball, American Football, Soccer and now Cricket. All money making sports and all having a more healthy (read:financially) club based setup over the country based setup. National cricket associations like those for West Indies, Pakistan and a few more are floundering. It's not very far away that the new generation of players will decide to aim directly for the clubs instead of going up the usual route for their country teams.

[SoumenD]

So its Ind vs Nz in the semis. Time for revenge of 2019 defeat. Am sure most of us remember how kohli carried Tendulkar on his shoulders after the 2011 WC victory. Really hope to see Kohli carried the same way this time around as this is mostly his last ODI WC. Would be a great tribute to the man considering what he has done for the country and for cricket in general (Olympic committee mentioned his popularity across the world as one of the driving factors in considering cricket for Olympics)

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

Rachin Ravindra is having the World Cup campaign that we expected from Shubman Gill.

True. And now with official No.1 position as a batter the expectations are high. I’m hopeful he would click in the all important semis & hopefully finals.

[antz.bin]

Instead of calling it the battle of mediocrities, lets consider that barring India, all the games have had some context to them and results have been unpredictable and hence enjoyable.

Overall level of cricket being played has become more competitive with the lesser teams (like AFG and NET) continuing their good work and have come a lot closer to the top teams than many of us expected.

If we discount the India games, other matches have been keenly contested and fortunes have favoured the better prepared instead of better ranked. Had AFG not lost to BAN in their opening game, this World Cup would have been even more exciting.

Wasn't that everything we have been looking for in a competitive tournament? As a cherry on the cake, India has played like true champions and will probably lift the trophy in about 10 days' time .

[UD17]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Really hope to see Kohli carried the same way this time around as this is mostly his last ODI WC.

Considering his fitness regime, it looks like he would continue for 1 more if not 2 (dare i say).

He displayed throughout his career, how true champions should perform.

[vinit]

Originally Posted by dust-n-bones

But even that is T-20s, which gets depressing after a point with no contest left between bat and ball.

T20s have become "Our batting" vs "Your batting". What is really needed now is a pitch which help bowlers too, boundaries which are neither too short nor too long and changes in batsman friendly rules.

[PPS]

NZ have been playing keeping the NRR in mind since Game 1 ! Thats the reason they've qualified for the Semis. The only time Indian team was somewhat challenged in this WC was against NZ when Daryll Mitchell attacked Kuldeep Yadav in the middle overs.

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

Rachin Ravindra is having the World Cup campaign that we expected from Shubman Gill.

Don't think he's playing badly, just that he isn't getting the big scores like before.

[ValarMorghulis]

Originally Posted by Shumi_21

Rachin Ravindra is having the World Cup campaign that we expected from Shubman Gill.

Originally Posted by PPS

...Don't think he's playing badly, just that he isn't getting the big scores like before.

Guys if even Shubham played like QdK, it might as well have been India Cup. Rohit Sarma and Virat Kohli are already dominating batting stats. With even Shubhman playing like QdK it would have been more of India mayhem.

Originally Posted by UD17

Considering his fitness regime, it looks like he would continue for 1 more if not 2 (dare i say)...

Hear hear. I think he can easily play 2027 ODI WC as well.

Originally Posted by SoumenD

...Really hope to see Kohli carried the same way this time around as this is mostly his last ODI WC. Would be a great tribute to the man considering what he has done for the country and for cricket in general (Olympic committee mentioned his popularity across the world as one of the driving factors in considering cricket for Olympics)...

I hope no one carries him this time. He can carry the team for another WC