ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011

Hi all,

-------------------ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2011-------------------------------

No prize for guessing.. World cup is the only reason why I am again to this place. Lots of things to say. About India and its chances this time, semifinal & final prediction etc etc. And I really miss my friends Vijeth, Karthik Shetty n others with whom I always had long discussion regarding any sports match during college time. (unfortunatle Man C lost against ManU - so not a right time to speak with Karthik Shetty for sure). No Internet , No TV, hardly I will get time to read news paper - well this time absolutely no idea where each team stands. But that doesnt stops me from predicting the ultimate winners. So without wasting further time and space, let me write what I think will going to happen this time.


This time we have 2 groups , each consisting 7 teams 4 of which will qualify for the next round i.e. Quarter final.

From Group-A , teams Kenya, Canada and Zimbabwe have no chances against Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
So only thing which matters is the order in which top 4 teams Qualify for next Round.

Sri Lanka will definatly have an edge over others as they will be host nations. So for me they will emerge as toppers from their group. Australia is still very strong. Pakistan recently defeated New Zealand in New Zealand. So order after the group matches according to me will be

1. Sri Lanka
2. Australia
3. Pakistan
4. New Zealand

Group-B is bit tricky compared to Group-A.

India is slow starter. South Africa always performs well in initial stages of ICC events. My strong feeling is Bangladesh have enough fire power to beat both England and West Indies at home. So England vs West Indies match in Chennai will be like pre Quarter final. Its a day and night match. So whoever bats 2nd will win the match. I will go for England as of now. So order after the group matches will be

1. South Africa
2. India
3. Bangladesh
4. England

Next will be Quarter Final Matches.

1st QF match - Sri Lanka vs England in Bangladesh - Sri Lanka for sure.
2nd QF match - Australia vs Bangladesh in Ahmedabad - Australia for sure.
3rd QF match - India vs Pakistan in Bangladesh ( that too on Friday)
- Pakistan never defeated India in World cup matches. I hope India doesn't lose this match. But I am not here to write what I want to see but to write what I feel going to happen. So Pakistan for me will be the winners as they play spinners very well and if you see recent history , no teams have won consecutive matches against each other. Last time India defeated Pakistan in Sri Lanka during Asia Cup Match. So this time it will be Pakistans turn to smile at the end of the match.

4th QF match - New Zealand Vs South Africa in Colombo.
- New Zealand will have chance if and only if they win toss. However I don't want to predict the Winner based on IFs n BUTs. South Africa will cross this hurdle and will make it to last 4.

So its Now time for High Profile Semi Final matches. People will definitely remembers world cup winners. Cricket lovers will remember other finalist too and only hard core cricket followers will remember semifinalists. So its time for all 4 teams to press the accelerator button and play as hard as they can. Greats of game will take their games to another level and senior players have to take more responsibility. The number and quality of match winners will decide which team wins. Not to forget all important D/L method and toss which are unfortunately meant to favour only one team .

1st Semi Final - Sri Lanka vs South Africa in Colombo
- yup. Venue tells all the story. It will Be Sri Lanka without any doubt. Feel sorry for South Africa but good thing is better team is in the Final.

2nd Semi final - Australia vs Pakistan in Chandigarh.
- Punjab usually favours seamers and both teams have good fast Bowling options. But here fitness of Tait, Akthar, Brett Lee will Come into Picture. Its Champion Australia vs Talented Pakistan. Experienced Aussies vs Youthful Pakistanis. Disciplined Australian team vs Unpredictable Pakistan team. Always tough to put your money against Australia specially in limited over matches Specially with the kind of players that they have in their rank. But my strong feeling is Quality Spin attack and finishers like Razzaq, U Akmal will allow Pak to take revenge against Australia for the T-20 semifinal defeat in Caribbean Land last year.

So this time it will be all Asian Final. Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan in Mumbai. Hard to choose one team and even harder is to defend my choice. I am going with Sri Lanka which means great end to Mutiah Muralitharans Career. Sri Lanka will be the 3rd team after West Indies and Australia to win more than one ICC ODI world Cup.


All my above predictions are only what I feel about teams before world Cup. In Reality I badly want India to win this world cup. My heart will always Support TEAM INDIA. Hope My predictions will go wrong and and if that happens I will be very happy for that. Hope we all Indians will be celebrating our victory after every India's match. Lets Cheer for Sachin. Cheer for Team India. I hope Team India will play like Champion Team and will win like Champions. East or west India is the Best:)