They used
to say – when India plays Pakistan, entire India stops working ! – when Sachin
is at the crease, even trains stop !!! – tomorrow, it is no Pak – but India
Australia Semi-finals ~ and after 6 WCs, there is no Sachin Tendulkar – the whole
India would wait with bated breathe before Television sets encouraging men in
blue.
In the
popular Shankar film “Indian” – one of the hit songs was ‘telephone manipol
sirippaval ivala –Melbourne malarpol melliya magala” – though the lyrical
reference was to Melbourne, it was elsewhere !! – it is Sydney that is the
venue of the match on 26th Mar 2015.
Some
people collect souvenir spoons when they go travelling, Aussies are used to
picking up World Cups at will from 1987, 1999, 2003 and 2007. Only India and West Indies have won the cup
more than once. Indians are the defending champions at this
tournament; Australia were for the past three campaigns. These are teams that
expect success.
In 2011,
at Ahmedabad, India did win comfortably – Shane Watson and Brad Haddin opened
then – now they would come much down in the order in the powerful Aussie
line-up. Sydney is not exactly the
ground for India. We have won only once
out of 13. That win came in the Commonwealth
Bank Series - 1st final on 2nd Mar 2008. In that ODI 2688 Aussies made 239/8 in 50
with Hayden top scoring 82. Sachin
Tendulkar made a sound 117* - Rohit Sharma made a brisk 66.
Way back
in 1987, at Chepauk chasing 271 [big total those days] – India had a great
start – Sunil Gavaskar fell at 69 making 37; Krish Srikkanth at 131 (making 70)
– then the comeback man [debut in ODI and recalled to International cricket !!]who
was a strokeless wonder earlier earned ‘six hitting Sidhu’ scoring 73 with 5
sixers. India from 229/3 slipped badly
and with one ball remaining Steve Waugh clean bowled Maninder Singh to win by a
single run.
Come on
India !!!
With regards
– S. Sampathkumar
Sam, Never a doubt - Go India, as always.
ReplyDeleteBalki