Week Five -- The Quarter Finals

• The stage is set for the semi finals .. The line up is on expected lines -- except for South Africa missing out ( I can add " as usual " ) . India - Pakistan and SL Meeting up with Kiwis.


• In the first Quarter final match , two unpredictable team met up .. Pakistan was more predictable that day. West Indies were never in the match and Pakistan was the first to get to Mohali.Nothing to talk about the match ! It was funny that Bangladeshis turned up to cheer Pakistan -- Why -- West Indies team defeated Bangladesh in the group match and revenge had to be taken. If Pakistan defeats West Indies , it is as good as Bangladesh defeating them !! Great story of Cross country love and friendship amongst enemies !!


• The second match was the one that I was waiting for ..Ind- Aussie Match . Aussie had to play for lot of pride as holders of the World Cup. Ponting said that Aussies would play the Aussie way and Dhoni responded -" India will play the India way.".The stage was set . Aussies won the toss and elected to bat and that I thought was a big advantage. India bowled and fielded superbly. Ashwin , Raina and Virat , all young guns threw themselves at the ball and restricted the runs . The pitch was sluggish and required patience to build an innings. Ricky Ponting showed lot of character . Led from the front and helped put up 260 on the board .. All the Indian bowlers bowled well and Yuvi continues to give Dhoni the extra mileage with his bowling as well..


• On way to my home , I filled in gas at my regular station and the mood was upbeat. The Service guy said " Sure win for India -- They just need to hang on .. No stroke play sir "" was his comment . He was not watching the match but talking to people he made his comment !Awesome Cricket fan.!!


• I reached home and soon Sehwag was on his way back. Sachin and Gauti settled in till Tait produced a magic ball to get rid of Sachin. Virat threatened for a while but got out to a full toss !! Gauti decided it was time for him to get out. And , we cannot blame him for not taking extra efforts to get out. Aussies missed running him out twice and then the third time they were lucky. Yuvi and Raina stepped up and there was no looking back. Raina's six of Brett Lee was a great response to the Aussies. It was clear that India was gaining by each over as the Aussies known for getting breaks at the right time, were failing in that reputation. Yuvi hit the winning run with some balls to spare...


• Yuvi's form with the bat and ball is great for India and he needs to do what he has done so far in the next two matches as well. He has added "temperament " to his competency and that is a great addition to this talented cricketer. Never mind who is behind his success. All of us are happy that he is succeeding due to that influence and we hope it carries on.


• It was a terrific victory. I stay put in the same place to watch as did many other fans , players and the coach !! You call it any damn thing -- Superstition , Sentimental etc., but it worked for India to win. O


• n to Mohali to meet the Pakis .. It is going to be the mother of all matches. I do not want to predict the winner but it cannot be anyone other than India.. There we go .


• NewZealand gave South Africa no chance to change their status of "Chokers"… The match was going SA way as Kallis and AB settled in. A stunning piece of fielding by Jacob Oram changed the match NZ way . Oram took a stunner at Deep Midwicket to get rid of a bewildered Kallis who played a ferocious pull shot. The ball seemed to be heading for a six when Oram , out of nowhere pulled the catch off. I was reminded of the catch Kapil took to take out Viv Richards in 1983. Pressure mounted and everyone knows what to expect from SA when they are under pressure and chasing runs for victory .. They crumbled and that puts NZ in to a semi spot which must have been a pleasant surprise to team itself.


• The last match-- Srilanka tried their best to help England ..They dropped catches and fielding was average. England defended as if they were Eight down when they were actually two down. Ian Botham kept repeating in the commentary box that England needs to be aggressive and go after the bowling .. That never happened. A meagre target and some ordinary bowling and English players were on their way to the airport to get home. It was a campaign that never went right for the English. No one was surprised that they did not do well.


• One more week of World Cup and cricket ...please bear with me … It will be just Cricket to blog !!