The cup so far

It's been 12 days, since the World Cup started, yet the WC fever is yet to catch me. The main reason is that, India has played just 2 games, so do other top teams. Among the test playing nations, I thought BD and Zim and gonna be the lesser fancied teams, but going by the matches England seems to be vulnerable

They snatched defeat from the jaws victory. But for bad bowling, they could have lost it against India and Netherland too. They are gonna take on SA, WI and BD in BD. Suddenly England is in a shaky wicket. Their Batting is top class but bowling is weak, same aka India. No wonder, the game involving these 2 sides was tied

But India atleast has some advantage. I believe that India gonna definitely beat Ireland and Netherland and get to QF. But now Group B is open. India, SA will reach QF. In my last blog, I had predicted WI and Eng to qualify, but now BD also seems to have a chance. If they could beat Netherland and Eng / SA / WI, then they are in it. They play at home and that's a great advantage. WI and Eng looks weak and SA has beaten SA in last WC

Group A is open and shut case. Aus, Pak, SL and NZ are gonna make to last 4.

I was telling to everyone, that the WC starts from QF only. But only today, I happen to read the rules of this tournament. If QF or the SF gets rained out, there will be a one over eliminator. If that is not possible, then the team that finished at the top of the table will make it to the next stage. Therefore its very important to be at No. 1 or No.2 at the end of group stage

Though nothing can be done about it, I still feel, instead of a one over eliminator, we can have 10 over a side game to determine winner in case if it rains out, with each team having 6 wkts. If this too is not possible, they can think of a 1 over eliminator. Even ICC cannot do anything now, as the rules have been defined, so let's forget it

Coming back to the tournament, I am just waiting to see one more upset by a minnow against a Test playing nation, in Group B (I pray that the test playing nation should not be India) and that would open up the group. If you ask me, why not upset in Group A, I really don't see a possibility there, unless you give Canada and Kenya 20 wkts and 100 to bat

At this stage it looks like Aus, Pak, SL, NZ, SA, Ind could get through, with WI, Eng, BD fighting it out with equal odds. Let us see how it goes

Cup that matters

The worldcup is just a fortnight away and the grip is yet to catch me. I have been an avid cricket fan and was crazy during my school and college. Though I still love to watch the any format of the game, my enthusiasm has reduced to a good extent. During college days, I even used to bunk my classes just to catch some live action on TV. I also have fond memories of carrying a walk man to listen commentary and getting caught by my professor. (mobile phones were unheard of during that time). These days, watching an ODI is just like watching a movie, no hard feelings whatever be the end. Of course in movies, you now what is gonna be the climax.

Coming to this Worldcup, vast majority of people root for India to win the cup. I too will be happy to see Dhoni and his men lifting the cup. Going by the form............... (I cannot complete this statement, as ICC has reverted back to 1996 format). They have ensured that all top 8 test playing nations get into QFs. This also means that, even 1 bad day at office can cost you the cup. FIFA WC also played on same rules, so I don't find wrong with ICC

We all saw how in 1996, WI who lost to Kenya in league barely managed to get into QF; then beat SA who won all their league games. This WC also could produce similar heartbreaks for certain teams.

Everybody have their prediction and I too have certain predictions.

Prediction 1 (Chances 100%)
All test playing nation barring Bangladesh will qualify for QF

Prediction 2 (Chances 80%)
Aus will top group A and SA will top group B

Prediction 3 (Chances 80%)
India will clash with either Pak or SL in QF.
(India will finish 2nd or 3rd in group B; Similarly Pak or SL will finish 2nd and 3rd. So irrespective of India's position in group stage, they will clash with any one of their neighbouring countries)

Prediction 4 (Chances 80%)

WI and NZ will finish 4th in their respective group

Prediction 5 (Chances 60%)
SA will choke in QF yet again, meaning NZ could advance into SF

Prediction 6 (Chances 50%)

If India play SL, we could advance to next stage. Also Pak could be a surprise entrant into SF by beating England

Prediction 7 (Chances 50%)

WI will beat Aus

Prediction 8 (Chances 50%)

SF line up: India, NZ, Pak, WI

Prediction 9 (Finalists) (Chances 25%)

Final: India vs WI

Prediction 10 (Chances 25%)

India (Winner)

It is a mix of my analysis of the game and instinct. Let me see how do I fare.

If all these comes true, I want myself to be called Cricketananda. Then I will participate in IPL auction and advise the owners whom to pick and what price. I will earn my consulting fee in crore (not to forget kickbacks from players picked for huge sum)