Battle-lines are drawn for the grand finale to the Cup of Joy, ICC ODI World cup 2011. All eyes are now on Mumbai, Wankhede stadium, Within few hours the battle will start and It is indeed heartening to see that Indians are playing in their own back yard and they are starting as favourites to win this World cup. The God of Cricket will be playing in front of home crowd, which is probably his last match in a World cup. The million dollar question is can India do it this time? Are we really geared up for this grand occasion. Dhoni boys have displayed brilliance in bits and pieces and it is not at all a formidable bowling and fielding side. The Semi final Clash between India and Pakistan in Mohali has not really lived to its expectations. We saw so many catches dropped, fielding errors by Pakistani team and Bowling of the likes of Umar Gul looked like he came for match practice. Captain Dhoni admitted that he has read the wicket wrongly and included 3 seamers for the match but it was blessing in disguise may be for him that all his bowlers lived upto his expectations. Given this Back drop and the conditions, I will put Indian team at 60:40 favourites to win the Grand finale. Now looking at the strengths of the Lankans, 2 Players of theirs are featured in top 3 leading batsmen in this world cup. Further to this, the 3M factor Murali, Malinga and Mendis performance will be crucial for Srilanka to change their fortunes. The blue team has their own set of problems, Now since Nehra is declared unfit, we may have to play either Srisanth or Ashwin if we are not going for his replacement. Stistics reveal that Lankans have won 2 and lost 2 at this ground and Team India has won 8 and lost 6 so far. Traditionally Lankans are good chasers and if India elects to bat first, they should post not less than 300 runs so that the Lankans falter in chasing. The top four batsmen are the key. Their middle order is not so strong and have their weaknesses. According to media reports,the Pitch is a batting beauty and there will be little assitance for seamers and spinners equally. Team India has handled Pakistan spin with great difficulty but mind you it was stopping and turning. Team India has very strong middle order and good opening partners. Bowling is totally depended on the shoulders of Zaheer khan, Bhajji and Munaf and of-course the form of Yuvraj is helping us to take crucial wickets at regular intervals.
The Master blaster will eagerly look at recording his 100th century at his home ground. It looks in all probability that Master may help Team India win this world cup than the other way. Come on India, We are all with you. Wishing you all the best. Go India Go.
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