Knock them out

World Cup 2011 is reaching its most exciting phase after filtering off superb team of Ireland. Ireland came to this World Cup without a serious fan in India but after a month they have more fans in this subcontinent than the entire population of little island known as Ireland. This World Cup has been more democratic than any other World  Cup played after 1999 and has more close matches than in any World Cup. The teams that have qualified for  Quarter Finals are the expected ones but i still think that Bangladesh and Ireland are unfortunate. They should have been in the Quarter Finals in place of England and West Indies. No offense to England but frankly speaking they do not deserve any a place in QF. I must say that they have played well in patches and they emit the same vigor (although in small proportion) as emitted by Australia not so long back. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have  looked pretty well and are strong favorites to win the Cup apart from South Africa. India and Australia are not too far behind. Indian team has played in extremes and they have dominated almost all the matches more than 50% of the  time but their death bowlers and death batsmen have let them down. Ideally they should have been playing New Zealand instead of Australia in QF if they had batted few balls more against England and South Africa.
                   Sachin, Zaheer, Sehwag and Yuvraj have performed exceedingly well for India. Kohli and Gambhir have performed well in pieces. The other half a dozen players have yet to find their form. India can not win the cup if  half of its team does not perform. I still believe that India can win the cup but now my favorites are Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa. Lets see what happens in Ahmadabad. May the best team win. Amen.

On a serious note, I offer my prayers and condolences to the people of Japan who are fighting hard to survive and to do things that they do best. May God give you courage to solve out things. You are the light of Asia and beyond.