Manish Lilani

The Indian team in South Africa is definitely glad that they hung in there and kept their determination when the going was tough. They had just few days at home between the return from the disastrous tour of New Zealand and departure to South Africa. Having started out with the poorest performance for the World Cup most certainly got the cricketing fans worried all over the country and abroad. The Indian team began to look greatly out of form with their performance at the warm-up matches and the encounters with Australia and Holland. Their disastrous performance began receiving the heat of the fans all over India, with groups of people burning effigies and resorting to violence.

The one thing most often reiterated when the Indian team fails to do well is the advertisements they appear in. It is as if the players were appearing in the commercial minutes before they went out to play. Emails and SMS messages started appearing calling on all the viewers of World Cup in India to boycott the ads in which the players appear. The Indian players through the media tried to comfort and reassure the crowds asking them to exercise patience as the World Cup has just begun and they have games remaining to prove their mantle - Which they did!

In each of the games played by the Indian team thereon, you could see the determination and the will to fight. Emerging champions and on the top with games against Zimbabwe, Namibia and England. It was heartening to see what was most often touted as Indian teams weakness proved to be the strength of the team - the bowling. One of the most professional attitudes was visible in the game against England where the batting order though sluggish at times got a decent score of 250 on the board. It was the bowling trio of Javagal Srinath, Zahir Khan and (H)Ashish Nehra (as British tabloids labeled him) that made it very difficult for the English batsmen. Ashish Nehra's name was splashed all across tabloids with British Tabloid calling him Hashish Nehra (since he produced a high as much as Hashish) and had created records with figures of 23 runs in 10 overs with 6 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar received his share of the limelight and was called "Batting like God" by the British press. The Indian team has realized that the 3 ‘D’s are essential for their success on the field - discipline, dedication and determination.

Success exudes confidence and with the last few successful matches, the Indians have an edge for the next match towards Pakistan. Historically, having never lost a world cup match to Pakistan and with their winning streak they would be out on the field as a more confident side. But, they would have it in their mind, that every game is another challenge and they cannot rest on their Laurels if they hope to achieve the World Cup.

Pakistan is desperate at this time to win the match against India, due to the famous rivalry between the countries and also to keep their hopes alive for the Super 6. India would like to continue their winning streak and inch more towards the certainty of Super 6 with this match. Apparently, the Indian - Pak match is predicted to be one of the most watched world cup matches and there would be immense pressure on both the teams. Depending on the ability of each team to handle pressure will determine the outcome of the match at Centurion Park.

Copyright ©2002 Manish Lilani. About The Author