Some interesting battles to look forward to at the World Cup

Cometh the World Cup, cometh the individual battles. India’s victory in 1983 was unquestionably a team effort. But that win was also down to the fact that individual talent shone through when it mattered the most.  Roger Binny’s over pitched delivery caught danger man Clive Lloyd off guard- the dismissal was a turning point in that emotional final.

The 2015 World Cup promises to whip up some electrifying battles between bowlers and batsmen. Here’s a look at some of the key battles to look forward to, at this World Cup. 

Chris Gayle vs. Dale Steyn- If there’s one thing that West Indian powerhouse Chris Gayle loves, it's bad deliveries. Every time the ball is pitched up at full length, Gayle makes sure it receives the merited treatment.  While there may be no panacea to keep him in check, South African speedster Dale Steyn knows a thing or two about taking crucial wickets at the initial stages.  In the build up to the World Cup, Steyn has been talking about how his team is resolute to shed the “chokers” tag.  On the other hand, Chris Gayle has been in lethargic form recently, scoring only one hundred in the past three years. Hence it’s the perfect stage for both of them to rise from their forty winks. With gigantic bats and short boundaries, Steyn will have to be at his very best against the man from Jamaica. 

Mohammad Irfan vs. Virat Kohli- Pakistani fast bowler Irfan is 7 ft 1 inch tall. Every time he releases the ball, batsmen have to almost look at the stars to read the delivery.  The tallest cricketer ever will cause a problem or two for India’s lynchpin, Kohli.  It would require guile to tackle Irfan on the bouncy wickets of Australia and New Zealand. Having spent the last few months down under, Kohli will know exactly what to expect from the giant. This one should be a cracking affair. For now both of them may continue to oblige fans with photographs during their warm-up matches, but come February 15TH, Irfan's eyes will be set on the prize- dismissing the third best batsman in the world. 

Kumar Sangakkara vs. James Anderson- The past year has been a successful one for Sri Lanka. At the heart of their victories is Kumar Sangakkara. Last year he managed to score 1000 runs in ODIs.   Low-key Kumar has scored more than 1000 runs in a year for the last four years- a laudable feat.  Sangakkara always signs out on a memorable note- whether it was his century in his last Test appearance or his hundred in his last ODI on home ground.  However, over the past two years, James Anderson has been the best ODI bowler in the world. According to the statisticians at ESPN cricinfo, he picked up twenty-two wickets in the first ten overs of an innings in the past two years. Anderson will try to ensure Sangakkara has a forgetful last World Cup. A scintillating battle to look forward to. 

Tim Southee vs. Aaron Finch and David Warner- New Zealand has made six semi-final appearances at the World Cup.  Can they go two steps further? Only time will tell. Playing at home, New Zealand is no longer considered a dark horse at this World Cup. McCullum and Co. will consider themselves among the favorites to win it this time around. A large part of this renewed confidence is due to their sinister bowling attack. Tim Southee will be expected to lead the line and their match against co-hosts Australia promises to be a cracker. Southee will be confident about troubling Australia’s opening pair. However Warner and Finch have been in respectable form of late. Both of them will bring the heat and pile on the runs for their team. This will be easier said than done. Southee was at the heart of the Black Caps’ recent supremacy over Sri Lanka. He managed to pick up two or more wickets in each of the matches that he played in.  

Shahid Afridi vs. the World- “this one's got an air hostess on it”, Danny Morrison said after Afridi hit Fernando (Sri Lanka) for a massive six back in 2011. Mr Boom will play his fifth and final World Cup.  Afridi has never won the marquee tournament and will be itching to get going this time around. A batting average of 23.58 in 391 matches may not be remarkable, but his strike rate of 116.79 unquestionably is.  His cameos with the bat and ball are just what Pakistan will require this time around. Afridi, who will be turning 35 during the competition, has come a long way ever since making his debut as a sixteen year old in 1996. If he can get his hand-eye coordination right, expect Afridi to show no mercy to any bowler in the world.