The Hard-Core Indian Prayers Just Not Enough: India Knocked Off The CT 2009

Today was a special day for Indo-Pak relations, the greatest rivalry in cricket was forgotten and the Indian team as well as the mass was hoping and praying for a Pakistan win. When Pakistan lost the toss and was put into bat, the attitude of the players throughout their innings was very sloppy indeed. They managed a meager 205/6 in their allotted 50 overs, after they messed up everything in the batting powerplay scoring just 31 runs. Later, when Australia came out to bat, Shane Watson for the first time in the tournament got off the mark and gave the Australians a great start, but it was not for too long. Umer Gul picked Watson and couple of overs later Tim Paine followed as Afridi struck. Ponting and Hussey then went through the rescue act and had a very strong 81-run stand in 119 balls until the part-time offie Shoaib Malik broke the shackles and Ponting loosing his temperament was caught at deep square leg. Ponting managed just 32 runs in his 64 ball stay. Hussey was firm but wickets kept on falling at regular intervals. Ferguson, White, Hopes – none were able to get into the double figures and Australia at a stage being 140-2 were reduced to 176-7. Johnson had a stay for a while but again he too fell to Ajmal’s beautiful arm delivery; Australia – 187/8, needing 19 more runs off 25 deliveries. After that all was nothing but drama. According to sources, the Indian TRPs went soaring high and all again started hoping for the miracle. Rana Naved bowled a maiden thereafter; poising the game much further as 18 were required off 18. The drama continued further as Australia at a stage then required 10 off 10, and here came the turning point. Rana Naved who had just given 1 run in his last 20 balls, missed the length and the ball went down the legside, Hauritz seeking the opportunity got it through the mid-wicket region for a boundary. Then, it was just some pressure-holding required by Lee and Hauritz to rap the things. In the final over, Umer Gul bowled some adoring beauties. The last over read as 0|1|0|1|1|1bye. Australia needed to get 205 i.e. tie the match to qualify and at the end they won.

After a disappointing loss to Pakistan in the first game, India played an abandoned game against Australia, forcing today’s Oz-Pak encounter to become a virtual quarter-final. In a true sense, the Indians were forced to hope a Pakistan win today! That would some other time been the last thing any Indian would hope! That’s how the game goes, cricket is indeed funny. Moreover, it would be very atrocious if Indians face criticism. India just lost a game and the weather gods weren’t too happy with the sides in a sense. A genuine team like South Africa and a strong team like Sri Lanka also are knocked off the tournament and hence Indian players ain’t alone for packing their bags!