Everyone you meet wants a pass—“not a ticket, please”—and everyone also wants a good game of cricket. “Of course, India must win,” is the common refrain as they seek to derive inspiration and comfort from India’s 4-0 record against Pakistan in World Cups, and dethroned Australian skipper Ricky Ponting’s assertion that the Indians are stronger than their arch-rivals.
From Sydney to Bangalore and Manchester to Centurion, the Indians have found a way of cracking the Pakistani riddle in the 50-over World Cup, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a fifth straight victory, as Yuvraj Singh pointed out.
The 29-year-old, who will seek to make his World Cup debut at the city of his birth a memorable one, sought to downplay Ponting’s prediction that India would make the final, or that the hosts would have a psychological edge because of their unbeaten record against their arch-rivals.
“The team that plays well on that day will win,” Yuvraj insisted in Ahmedabad, shortly after winning his fourth man of the match award of this World Cup. “We have played each other so often than they know what we do, and we know what they do. After India vs Australia, India vs Pakistan is also a dream match. Both teams will be geared up for the occasion; we will be wary of their personnel and their plans, and I am sure they will be wary of us.”
Ponting saw no necessity for diplomacy. Beaten by both Pakistan (in the league phase) and India in this World Cup, Australia’s skipper didn’t mince words as he described Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men as favourites.
“We all know how fierce a rivalry it is between Pakistan and India, so I’m sure that’s going to be a very entertaining semifinal,” he said. “India have a got a great chance now. Their batting is very powerful and they bat quite deep.”
Comparing the two former champions, the Aussie skipper went on: “If you look at their attacks, they’re quite similar. Pakistan have used a lot of spin, just like India have. How do I compare the teams? It’s pretty hard to say, but I think India will beat Pakistan in the semifinal.
From Sydney to Bangalore and Manchester to Centurion, the Indians have found a way of cracking the Pakistani riddle in the 50-over World Cup, but that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a fifth straight victory, as Yuvraj Singh pointed out.
The 29-year-old, who will seek to make his World Cup debut at the city of his birth a memorable one, sought to downplay Ponting’s prediction that India would make the final, or that the hosts would have a psychological edge because of their unbeaten record against their arch-rivals.
“The team that plays well on that day will win,” Yuvraj insisted in Ahmedabad, shortly after winning his fourth man of the match award of this World Cup. “We have played each other so often than they know what we do, and we know what they do. After India vs Australia, India vs Pakistan is also a dream match. Both teams will be geared up for the occasion; we will be wary of their personnel and their plans, and I am sure they will be wary of us.”
Ponting saw no necessity for diplomacy. Beaten by both Pakistan (in the league phase) and India in this World Cup, Australia’s skipper didn’t mince words as he described Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men as favourites.
“We all know how fierce a rivalry it is between Pakistan and India, so I’m sure that’s going to be a very entertaining semifinal,” he said. “India have a got a great chance now. Their batting is very powerful and they bat quite deep.”
Comparing the two former champions, the Aussie skipper went on: “If you look at their attacks, they’re quite similar. Pakistan have used a lot of spin, just like India have. How do I compare the teams? It’s pretty hard to say, but I think India will beat Pakistan in the semifinal.
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