The countdown has begun...

            And we have 31 days to go. The biggest extravaganza of cricket will be rocking entire world then.

            The 15 player squad is chosen and as expected few eye brows are raised against some inclusions and omissions. To be specific, Chawla, Ashwin’s inclusion and Srisanth’s omission are talk of the down. But it would be matter of day or two to ground the dust.

The fact is that the selected 15 will be representing India and will be putting their best for this action packed 40 days. If there had been any measure for pressure of expectations, this team surely would have crossed all the highest measurements by now. Such are the fans’ expectations. This happens before every world cup. The selected team always seems stronger enough than previous WC team and seems to bear all capabilities to beat anyone in the world. This doesn’t mean that previous teams were incapable. They were also strong contenders in their times. The teams of 03 and 07 were also best of their times. The only exceptional team which no one had thought about or expected about was that of 83. And they created the magic, that too, against the gigantic, humongous Windies; against the likes of Richards, Lloyds, Marshals, Roberts and so on. They gave India such a fine gift that no one had expected in far deepest of their dreams, at that time.

            So what all it takes to be a world cup winner, to be a champion in cricket. It’s not merely a great team, some great names on scorecard. It’s more than that, to be peculiar, it’s all about a day’s performance in every match, a team contribution. The team which manages to keep their nerves and follows the steady process of reaching the ultimate judgment day holds the cup finally.

            96 was also a great example. Rantunga led Srilanka was one of the least favorable. And suddenly from nowhere, guys like Murali, Jayasurya, Arvinda, Vaas rose to multiple occasions and steered unparallel passion magic among the team. Jayasurya succeeded to set new format in ODIs by hitting all over the ground in initial 15 overs of innings.  There were some good performances by Arvinda D’Silva, Rantunga. Vaas, Murali, Jaysurya bowled well. And finally, stunning is the only word that can describe the final between Islanders and Aussies.

            What will happen in this tournament? Who will win? Who will prove to be world cup upset? Will there be India-Pak clash again? Will Sachin do it for India this time? And so on. Thousand of questions will be running through millions of cricketing minds these days. The curiosity factor is increasing day by day. Each day, fans are dreaming the cricket beauty to come their home. The most favorable teams this year are SA, England, Aussie and we, Indians. But we can not deny the chances of Srilanka, New Zealand and Pakistan also.

            Let’s see how close their chances are (, though we can’t predict accurately, we can give a thought)? Aussies are former champions but the current team lacks the aggression as compared with their previous world cup team. Hayden, Gilli, Warne are no more with them. Ricky and Bret Lee are on their downfall. Clarke, Hussey, Watson are new hopes this time. Aussies have a tradition of never giving up. They have ability to give hard fight to anyone and hold all capability to win at any situation and against any opposition.

            The English team has recently done very well to beat Aussies in their home in Ashes. They are on all time high confidence.  Anderson, Tremlett are their firing machines. KP has shown comeback innings recently. The English team also contains match winner stars like Collingwood, Strauss. This team surely holds the world’s larges grudge that they haven’t won the world title in the game that they have invented. Surely they’ll give tough fight this time.

            South Africans are equally weighed. They have Kallis, Smith, Amla, JP, AB, Morkel and the Steyn gun. The most dangerous performers of the game are on this list.  Proteas never give up anything easily. The most consistent team in recent past is ready to take on the challenge of gaining their maiden title.

            New Zealanders are there with the unflappable Vettori and Company. They often have entered the quarter and semi final circuits. On their day, they can turn any one down.

            Pakistan team is the most unpredictable team of the most unpredictable game. They have good lot of pacers which India may envy of. It’s the fact that we never had matched the unending stock of pacers of our neighbors. Imagine an Indian line up with the likes of some Wasim, Imran, Shoaib.  Where do they get all such fearsome material? They can repeat what we have done in 83. Do not underestimate the neighbors.

            And finally, our team has got all it needed to fetch the title one more time. The biggest guns for India are SRT and Viru. Yuvi and Yusuf can torment any bowler on their day. Virat and Dhoni are consistent. Zak can lead well with Nehra and Munna. And there is the turbanator Bhajji, carrying the legacy of fighter Jumbo. This team is most blessed, being the team of most populous nation. But blessings are not enough. Dhoni turned everything in gold whatever he touched. Such a unflappable figure behind the timber. He never shows exaggerated emotions. So peacefully he leads the guys, that India should really think of giving some peace related national award to him. Millions are waiting to watch the Dhoni karizma once again.

            This is the beauty of cricket that no one can predict the sure outcome. No one can say firmly at this moment that who will lift the cup. Being the most unpredictable game and as history also affirms, every team participating has equal chance and hence every teams’ followers till then can enjoy the dream of holding cup. Dream your captain with the World Cup on the cricket frenetic packed Wankhede stadium. Dreams unlimited.