The Cup That Matters..

Well, new blog, BMM kept me much occupied, but can't really stay away from writing and cricket. The present sadness in life aspires me to move the pen again. With two weeks to go, here it is.. Everything you'd want to know about World Cup 2015.

The first round of the competition will be the pool stage.

Pool A	Pool B
England (1)	South Africa (2)
Australia (4)	India (3)
Sri Lanka (5)	Pakistan (6)
Bangladesh (8)	West Indies (7)
New Zealand (9)	Zimbabwe (10)
Afghanistan (12)	Ireland (11)
Scotland (13)	United Arab Emirates (14)

14th February is the day, the World Cup commences and we get glued to our Tv screens. Sorry, what is Valentines Day? We, ardent Indian cricket fans definitely don't care about this day and have been waiting for 15th February, ever since the greatest match of the world cup was scheduled. Yes, India vs Pakistan! (No points for guessing) Sorry, in advance, if you feel ignored during February-March! #12DaysToGo

Add 2011 to that.

Wikipedia states, India vs Pakistan is one of the most intense sports rivalries in the world. An India vs Pakistan match has been estimated to attract about three million television viewers. The records will be broken yet again, Down Under.

The Top 8 Squads:

Team India : Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Akshar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.

There's no Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar (Retired or else could've been God's seventh WC) or a Sehwag, Yuvi, Gambhir, Zaheer. India's squad comprises of some unfit pacers, and a medium pacer too. Three spinners, not much batting effort yet shown to be called as perfect all rounders. Binny, justified his selection in the recent tri-series. India's strength has always been batting and they've great top order talented batsmen, a Kohli, a couple of IPL talents and also the world's best Captain - Wicket keeper batsman. Dhoni is expecting a good news back in India, well it may definitely bring a good news to his and Team India's form Down under. It'll be really stupid to write India off on the basis of an exhausting tour. They are well aware of the conditions now, and they aren't facing Australia or England before the quarters. They were the Champions, are the Champions and will always be the Champions. "Dudh maangoge toh kheer denge, World Cup mangoge toh cheer denge" - An Indian fan was quoted. #WontGiveItBack

Prediction: Semi-Final for sure. Finals maybe (Fingers Crossed)

Sachin- 49 ODI Centuries. Indian WC'15 Squad- 48 + 1* (Rohit Sharma's recent ton)

Team Pakistan : Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Shahid Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Khan, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younus Khan.

Misbah-Ul-Haq has decided to retire after this World Cup. Hopefully, Afridi does the same and again comes for the next World Cup. With their world class spinner Saeed Ajmal out due to illegal action and even Hafeez not allowed to bowl, Lala's leg-breaks will be crucial. With a decent batting and bowling line-up, Pakistan are not entering the tournament as favourites, but will definitely be a team to watch out for. Their pacers should be effective. Currently playing a short series with NZ, their state looks same as other subcontinent teams, down under.

Prediction: Quarter-Final.

Naa ishq main naa pyaar main, jo maza hai Pakistan ki haar main.

Team South Africa: Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers (capt & wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.

Starting the tournament as one of the favourites, this team has every quality to be a world champion. But sadly, have choked in important must-win situations in past. Hashim Amla has stayed one of the most consistent batsman since the last couple of years. Fastest to century no. 7 to 19, in terms of innings. Rilee Rossouw partnering him well. We all are living in AB's dream world. AB De Villiers, Mr. Awesome recently scored the fastest 50 & 100. He's one batsman who can demolish any attack. Superhumans shouldn't be allowed to play cricket. But, this is no Wanderers. They've a lethal bowling attack. Maybe, for the first time, the Proteas get their hand on the trophy or will they just 'choke'?

Prediction: Semi-Final.

Even with De Villiers, Kohli & Gayle, Vijay Mallya doesn't win IPL though.

Team Sri lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Dimuth Karunaratne, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga (subject to fitness), Angelo Mathews (capt), Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Dhammika Prasad, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Sachithra Senanayake, Lahiru Thirimanne.

India's friendly neighbour who comes to India to play cricket, whenever we want to and whom we encounter in some or the other semi-final, final match. Well, the fans are bored to watch India-Srilanka playing again and again. They are the defending T20 champions and they'd like to make it double this year. Jayawardene and Sangakkara have planned on their retirement after the world cup. Angelo Matthews & co. will be looking for a fitting farewell for their legends, just like they won T20 WC. Have failed to strike as a team in NZ lately, but have a fair chance at the cup.

Prediction: Quarter-Final, Semis maybe.

Giving away trophies since years, sister concern of 'choking' South Africa.

Team Australia: George Bailey, Michael Clarke (capt), Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Four time World Cup Champions. Playing in their own backyard, an added advantage. And currently, looks one of the strong teams. Winners of the Tri-series against England and India. They bat very deep and their tail has been worrying for most teams. Micheal Clarke, one of the most successful Captain is going to join the team after their first WC match. They've match winners like Faulkner, Maxwell, Warner, who can easily bat out the opposition in the game. Starc & Johnson are raring to go. No Cricket fan can forget Phil Hughes incident, but the Kangaroos are back on track and motivated enough.

Prediction: Semi-Final. Finals, maybe.

63 Not Out.

Team England: Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler (wk), Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Eoin Morgan (capt), Joe Root, James Taylor, James Tredwell, Chris Woakes.

The country which invented the game of cricket but never really won a World Cup. Not much hopes this time around too. Though they defeated India in both ODIs they faced in recent Tri-series, the reason was India's performance was worse than them. After sacking their best batsman KP, England have never looked a complete team. With Cook being sacked from World Cup's squad, all hopes on their Ireland import captain Morgan. Batting seems to be a worry for them. While bowling looks just fine.

Prediction: Quarter-Finals.

Ke bhaiya choote Lagaan.

Team New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Luke Ronchi (wkt), Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Kane Williamson.

Black Caps start as tournament favourites. Never has the New Zealand team looked more strong than this. They tharshed Srilanka recently. They've have an added advantage because they're playing most of their matches home. They were last seen, winning against Pakistan. McCullum leading from front. Mumbai Indians special talent Anderson in form. Kane Williamson, regarded as the future of NZ Cricket, like Kohli, Smith and Root. Grant Elliot and Daniel Vettori, recalled. Black Caps, have it in them to win the trophy this year, for the first time.

Prediction: Semi-Final for sure. Maybe, Finals.

Maybe they pull more pants, this World Cup.

Team West Indies: Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cottrell, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder (capt), *Nikita Miller, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Jerome Taylor.

They don't have a team to compete at the World Cup stage. No hopes from the most entertaining team. No IPL Giants, they are definitely going to miss the services of Pollard and Bravo. Wonder, why the WICB took such a harsh decision. With Narine pulling out of the squad, all hopes are lost with him too. Major setback. Maybe, Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle make up for the batting. And let's hope, their pacers win matches for them.

Prediction: Quarter-Finals. Unless a few upsets.

Only IPL for them.

These were the Top 8 teams, but yes Bangladesh and Ireland can cause upsets this year around too, as we can see the form of few teams before World Cup. Zimbabwe and Scotland have a below average team. While, Afghanistan and UAE make their debut on the bigger picture, the World Cup.

Well all said and done, the performance on the field will matter more than the analysis of the team on paper. These were my views. Opinions and reviews welcome :)

Thanks a lot for reading. Will follow the World Cup closely and come out with my next article quickly this time around. Till then, let's wait for the World Cup and pray, that we don't give it back.

Cheers. AM to PM ;)

Regards, Pranay Mehta.