Clash of the Titans

A Wednesday....

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar would have braved through a hundreds of such Wednesdays, but he knows that this is the biggest test of them all. This is IT! This is HIS Final chance for Glory! The Greatest player on the planet is just 2 wins away from adding an achievement to his career which will complete him as a player, a record which will encompass all his hundreds, all 30 odd thousand international runs he has scored, all match winning performances he has delivered. This will be the perfect end to an illustrious career, one which will take some getting to surpass.

Such is the intensity & the hype created about Wednesday's encounter between the arch rivals that cricket is all over the social media. People who cannot spell 'cricket' are giving expert comments on what the team composition should be, News channel are filled with comments & discussions by analysts who want to hog their share of limelight, Top Honchos, Politicians & Celebrities are trying to get a ticket for the game & employees have raised a nation wide campaign for a Half day leave on the match day. The Center of attraction has suddenly become Mohali & people are treating this game more important than the Finals in Mumbai. A Final before the Finals. Mohali, to be very honest, cannot believe the kind of attention it is getting with people flocking in from all parts of the World to watch it LIVE. Suddenly the city has turned into a fortress.

It has been speculated that a betting of Rs 5,000 crore has been placed on the match, the highest ever. Much has been said by both sides, mind games have been played by experts and ironically a Pakistan Minister warned his team against indulgence in any sort of match fixing. Media has gone overboard again and created a hoopla out of the entire episode.All said & done, this is truly, the Mother of all Contests. India are playing against arch rivals Pakistan after 4 long years & that too in the Semi Finals of a World Cup.

Stats suggest India have always had an upper hand versus Pakistan in a World Cup Game, but stats are mere numbers. What will matter is how each team will perform on the D- Day. I think the key here would be how India play through the initial overs. Gul's consistency mixed with Afridi's aggression has meant they go into the match as a better Bowling unit than India. But India have to back the way their Batsmen have fared in the World Cup. The openers have amassed a massive 715 runs alone & India will look at God & his accomplice to deliver a good start once again. While Kohli & Gambhir have runs under their belt too, Yuvi will be the critical factor. He would be under tremendous pressure considering its his home ground, but he will back himself to win the cup for that special person.

Two players which are yet to deliver have been Dhoni & Bhajji. Though the captain has done a fair job as a batsman & leader, he has to rise to the occasion as a batsman in crunch matches. Bhajji has been economical but looked far from the dangerous bowler he is. Both have the capability to perform in big matches and Dhoni would like to get some inspiration from his brillaint 148 against Pakistan at Vizag which could give him the impetus. Zaheer as always has been brilliant & Ashwin has impressed in both matches. Munaf needs to show some grit. He needs to find the right line & has been a lot wayward & full for the past 2 matches. All in all India look a formidable side with Raina adding the finishing touch to a frayed lower order in the finals overs.

Pakistan on the other hand have been the best team of the tournament so far. But i would like to believe that if Afridi & Gul (with 35 wickets between them) are tackled well, India stand a chance to post a big total or chase down with ease. Akmal Brothers have been fairly decent apart from the keeping debacle by the senior brother. Misbah has been in great flow and Younis can always rise up in important games. Hafeez has played his part as a Bowler & Batsman. Wahab Riaz has been electric in the field & has bowled fast as well. But he is a bit like Shaun Tait who can be walloped for runs as well if he errs in line. Pakistan's biggest dilemma would be whether they should play Akhtar or not? Playing in his last tournament before retiring, Shoaib has the potential to demolish any batting side with his pace. But playing him would mean asking him to bowl his full quota of 10 overs which may be dicey considering his fitness.

India have a winning combination & should stick to it. Pakistan might go in with a few changes. But you never know, both countries are superstitious and since you
' Never disturb a winning combination', both might go into the decider with the same teams.

The Intensity is very high. The Rivalry beyond Borders will now stretch beyond Boundaries. The arms & ammunition are ready! The Soldiers have taken their Positions!

Let the Battle Begin!