World Cup aaya re...
Friends,
March 11, 2007 will be an all important day for billions of fans across the world. For Cricket lovers no points for guessing, as it unfolds the 50 days of action, drama, thrill and topsy turvy moments all in cricketing world. As many as sixteen countries will fight for the battle of supremacy and we the fans will be witnessing "The pinnacle of Cricket", yes, the event is "ICC World Cup". Tonnes of newsprint, thousands of minutes of airtime, millions of hits will be spent to cover the event which takes place once in 4 years.
Not to mention, India is one of the contenders and is the proud champion of 1983 edition. Our current team will definitely look to repeat 1983 performance when Kapil and his devils took the country to the peak of glory. Can “Dravid and his Boys” achieve the same? On paper “Definitely”, we have one of the best combinations of experience and youth. Anyways the result will be known in another two months, meanwhile let us look into the performances of our players in World Cup events so far.
Sachin Tendulkar – Let me start with the batting maestro. Being the most experienced campaigner he has shown some great performances in the previous 4 editions and with the current form he is going strong into his fifth (may be last?) appearance. Making his first appearance in 1992, he holds the record of most number of runs in World Cup. Till now he has amassed 1732 runs in 33 matches with an impressive average of 59.72. In the process he has scored 4 centuries and 12 fifties. The special performances came in 1996 and 2003 where he was the top run getter of those editions. In the latter edition he was declared “Player of the tournament”. Currently he has been named vice-captain and India will definitely look to the great man with billions of hope.
Sourav Ganguly – “Dada” of Indian cricket has made his comeback after a hiatus of one year. It will be his third appearance in the quadrennial event. His figures are also quite impressive as his former opening mate. In 18 cup matches he has accumulated 844 runs averaging 56.26 with 4 centuries and 1 fifty. He has also taken 9 wickets each costing only 31.44 runs making him useful all round prospect. But the best fact about Sourav is that, he had captained India to the finals in the last edition before bundled out by mighty Australians.
Anil Kumble – “The Smiling Assassin” will be going for kill for 4th and final time in the pinnacle of cricket. Described as the man with big heart, he has plucked 28 sticks in 17 cup matches giving away just above 23 runs for each wicket. The nature of slow and low Caribbean wickets may bring the best of “Jumbo” who will hold key in bowling department.
Virender Sehwag – “The Delhi dasher” will be making his second appearance in World Cup but with lot of doubts raised against him. Off late he is not in good form and a bad performance in cup will throw him out of Indian ODI team. In 2003 edition he scored 299 runs with the modest average of 27.18, 82 he scored in finals being his best effort. But when he gets going, he has the ability to decimate the best of bowling attacks. Hope he does that in the tournament.
Yuvraj Singh – An extremely promising and talented middle order batsman who has almost attained the sobriquet of “The Finisher” is one of the biggest prospects for Indian batting order. In 2003 edition he scored 240 runs with an average of 34.28. Also he took 5 wickets at an impressive average of 14. The highlight was unbeaten 50 in the league match against Pakistan which took India to the historic win.
Harbhajan Singh – “Turbunator” from Punjab is also a “World cup” old guy in Indian cricket team. In last edition, in 10 matches he took 11 wickets at an average of 30.45. Being the mainstay of Indian spin bowling department in ODI for the past 2 years, he will also be the key spin bowler along with Anil Kumble.
Zaheer Khan – The “Comeback Man” in recent times will be going into the World Cup as the new Ball bowler as he did 4 years back. Though he was out of Indian ODI team for quite some time he made an impressive comeback in South Africa recently. In last World Cup he was highest wicket taker from Indian side. Barring final where he was pounded by Gilchrist and Ponting, he bowled magnificently taking 18 wickets costing 20.77 each. India will expect him to repeat the stunning performance.
Ajit Agarkar – Though he has represented India twice in World Cup but his role was just above a “bench” player. He has just played in 3 matches where his records are mediocre. But in West Indies he will definitely look to improve the past performances where he has the responsibility of sharing the new ball.
Rahul Dravid – Last but above all, “Mr. Dependable”, being the Captain of Indian cricket team holds the most envious job in cricketing world. He will be leading the team into his 3rd appearance of the quadrennial event. A man for bigger challenges hold impressive record of 779 runs in 19 matches. His also holds the record of highest average (64.91) by an Indian in cup matches. In 1999 he was top run getter which won him “Ceat Cricketer of World Cup 1999”. Along with Sachin and Sourav he holds the key in batting department. The cup will also witness the captaining skills of the gentleman cricketer. To realize the dream of World Cup win “The Wall” should be firm and strong. He along with his 14 warriors carries a billion hopes on his shoulders and we the Indian cricket fans would like to see him lifting the “World Cup 2007” on April 28.
All other promising players Irfan Pathan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthick, Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth will be making their debut in this edition.
"Intezaar ki ghadiyan khatam hogi thode dinon mein...". Let us enjoy the event...
Regards,
Chetan
March 11, 2007 will be an all important day for billions of fans across the world. For Cricket lovers no points for guessing, as it unfolds the 50 days of action, drama, thrill and topsy turvy moments all in cricketing world. As many as sixteen countries will fight for the battle of supremacy and we the fans will be witnessing "The pinnacle of Cricket", yes, the event is "ICC World Cup". Tonnes of newsprint, thousands of minutes of airtime, millions of hits will be spent to cover the event which takes place once in 4 years.
Not to mention, India is one of the contenders and is the proud champion of 1983 edition. Our current team will definitely look to repeat 1983 performance when Kapil and his devils took the country to the peak of glory. Can “Dravid and his Boys” achieve the same? On paper “Definitely”, we have one of the best combinations of experience and youth. Anyways the result will be known in another two months, meanwhile let us look into the performances of our players in World Cup events so far.
Sachin Tendulkar – Let me start with the batting maestro. Being the most experienced campaigner he has shown some great performances in the previous 4 editions and with the current form he is going strong into his fifth (may be last?) appearance. Making his first appearance in 1992, he holds the record of most number of runs in World Cup. Till now he has amassed 1732 runs in 33 matches with an impressive average of 59.72. In the process he has scored 4 centuries and 12 fifties. The special performances came in 1996 and 2003 where he was the top run getter of those editions. In the latter edition he was declared “Player of the tournament”. Currently he has been named vice-captain and India will definitely look to the great man with billions of hope.
Sourav Ganguly – “Dada” of Indian cricket has made his comeback after a hiatus of one year. It will be his third appearance in the quadrennial event. His figures are also quite impressive as his former opening mate. In 18 cup matches he has accumulated 844 runs averaging 56.26 with 4 centuries and 1 fifty. He has also taken 9 wickets each costing only 31.44 runs making him useful all round prospect. But the best fact about Sourav is that, he had captained India to the finals in the last edition before bundled out by mighty Australians.
Anil Kumble – “The Smiling Assassin” will be going for kill for 4th and final time in the pinnacle of cricket. Described as the man with big heart, he has plucked 28 sticks in 17 cup matches giving away just above 23 runs for each wicket. The nature of slow and low Caribbean wickets may bring the best of “Jumbo” who will hold key in bowling department.
Virender Sehwag – “The Delhi dasher” will be making his second appearance in World Cup but with lot of doubts raised against him. Off late he is not in good form and a bad performance in cup will throw him out of Indian ODI team. In 2003 edition he scored 299 runs with the modest average of 27.18, 82 he scored in finals being his best effort. But when he gets going, he has the ability to decimate the best of bowling attacks. Hope he does that in the tournament.
Yuvraj Singh – An extremely promising and talented middle order batsman who has almost attained the sobriquet of “The Finisher” is one of the biggest prospects for Indian batting order. In 2003 edition he scored 240 runs with an average of 34.28. Also he took 5 wickets at an impressive average of 14. The highlight was unbeaten 50 in the league match against Pakistan which took India to the historic win.
Harbhajan Singh – “Turbunator” from Punjab is also a “World cup” old guy in Indian cricket team. In last edition, in 10 matches he took 11 wickets at an average of 30.45. Being the mainstay of Indian spin bowling department in ODI for the past 2 years, he will also be the key spin bowler along with Anil Kumble.
Zaheer Khan – The “Comeback Man” in recent times will be going into the World Cup as the new Ball bowler as he did 4 years back. Though he was out of Indian ODI team for quite some time he made an impressive comeback in South Africa recently. In last World Cup he was highest wicket taker from Indian side. Barring final where he was pounded by Gilchrist and Ponting, he bowled magnificently taking 18 wickets costing 20.77 each. India will expect him to repeat the stunning performance.
Ajit Agarkar – Though he has represented India twice in World Cup but his role was just above a “bench” player. He has just played in 3 matches where his records are mediocre. But in West Indies he will definitely look to improve the past performances where he has the responsibility of sharing the new ball.
Rahul Dravid – Last but above all, “Mr. Dependable”, being the Captain of Indian cricket team holds the most envious job in cricketing world. He will be leading the team into his 3rd appearance of the quadrennial event. A man for bigger challenges hold impressive record of 779 runs in 19 matches. His also holds the record of highest average (64.91) by an Indian in cup matches. In 1999 he was top run getter which won him “Ceat Cricketer of World Cup 1999”. Along with Sachin and Sourav he holds the key in batting department. The cup will also witness the captaining skills of the gentleman cricketer. To realize the dream of World Cup win “The Wall” should be firm and strong. He along with his 14 warriors carries a billion hopes on his shoulders and we the Indian cricket fans would like to see him lifting the “World Cup 2007” on April 28.
All other promising players Irfan Pathan, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthick, Munaf Patel and S Sreesanth will be making their debut in this edition.
"Intezaar ki ghadiyan khatam hogi thode dinon mein...". Let us enjoy the event...
Regards,
Chetan
posted by Chetan | 7:34 AM
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