World Cup 2015: Expect an India-New Zealand final in Melbourne

Expectations are prejudice’s pretty looking cousin. When they are fulfilled, they make for a copybook relationship. When not, it seems we are a part of some larger conspiracy. Expectations for this World Cup have largely been fulfilled. Most of the top teams on form and performance have managed to secure quarter final berths – except – not England, but Ireland. That issue calls for a lot of time and space – but in another column on another day.

New Zealand and India managed to sustain their beautiful display of cricket and finished atop. The Aussies found their mojo with Watson, Maxwell and Starc looking ominous. Pakistan looked like – well the Pakistan of old; one that knew how to marshal the five and a half ouncer. Sri-Lanka with their big three have had the scoreboards and umpires dancing. South-Africa with AB, who’s confidence isn’t as shaken as it could have been – but without wins against teams that matter, need to put their money where the mouth is and that soon. West-Indies have managed to eke out a berth, but with a well-rested Gayle and Holder who is leaping forward on the experience track teams will be wary. Bangladesh have been the romantic story of this World Cup. Finally, a large set of fans – who have been supporting the team for two decades have had their faith repaid. A nation has awaken to the realms of full-time cricket and marquee events. 

South Africa have now managed to overcome their knockout hoodoo, and in style. India defeated Bangladesh quite easily in Melbourne, in spite of 33 overs of tough cricket and some bad umpiring going their way. Now we come to Australia v/s Pakistan and New Zealand v/s West Indies.

It is a rarity that the Australian team gets talked about as less in a World Cup as it has been this time around. They could use this though. Before the tournament, it seemed as if Australia will sail through to the finals and other teams would have to worry about them only then – it isn’t so. The fact that they didn’t bulldoze through meant that they could stealthily go about garnering momentum and ironing out the wrinkles. Australia face a rejuvenated Pakistan who believe. That is the most dangerous Pakistan team – the one that rises above the ubiquitous disputes. Sarfraz has been a breath of the most aromatic flower west of Wagha, and, Wahab and Sohail have got the ball to talk. Pakistan has to ensure their top bowlers bowl lengths that have got them the wickets and not ones they think ought to intimidate the batsmen. They are lacking majorly in the spin department which renders them quite one dimensional. Their biggest worry is the fourth and fifth bowlers who will be taken to the cleaners by all batting line-ups that are forthcoming. 

New Zealand have a lead block on the gas pedal and McCullum doesn’t look like he is taking it off too soon. We were wondering what would happen if and when he has a bad day – and when he did, the team did step up well. New Zealand shouldn’t be looking to alter too many things, they are performing almost perfectly. Complacency is a four letter word in sports – and it would be a big mistake for them to consider the West-Indies an easy opposition – who meanwhile are hoping for a repeat of their World Twenty-20 performance. With the West-Indies, without Pollard and Bravo, it has become more of a binary operation – if Gayle then that! Ireland beating them was not an upset – not by any stretch of imagination. West-Indies beating New Zealand would be. 

It makes mathematical sense that the toppers from two groups should meet in the finals. India and New Zealand look most likely to meet at the summit but could be looking at having to negotiate two tough peaks – teams that have largely been dominating the cricket world in the recent past. This unless there is another script for Pakistan that we aren’t aware of.