The Great Indian Ennui (in Cricket - what else?)

The Indian cricket fans are going through a nightmare. But just think of those poor men out in the middle. They must be so not enjoying this period. That is when they are awake. It is as if a haze has settled over the Boyzzz in Blue - post World Cup. Oh they have managed a series win  or two - against England /WI in some ODI series at home. But thats something they can do blindfolded - win ODI matches at home against England/WI.

So how does this post WC ennui work? When Tendulkar goes out to practise (that is if he does bother, or if the coach dares to bother him) -  dont you think there would be a buzz of WC WC around his head. Plus a more significant and exasperating buzz - 100100...100100. No wonder he looks to be chasing those flies away.

What would be happening when the Great Dhoni goes out to practise. No one has let him forget in the last 8 months that he is so perfect and great and humble. The guy must be just so confused too. Its a wonder if he can tell a practise from a T-20 from a Test from an ODI or for batting from a commercial. Or if he is batting for his country, or his bosses in IPL, or his wifey or for his ads bosses...I dont remember when I last saw a person so busy with the limelight so firmly refusing to waver.

The same haze seems to have enveloped Viru and Gambhir. While individually they are looking like a pair of stuffed puppies -  together they seem to be putting on a show called Zombie learns tap-dancing. It doesnt auger well for Gambhir. WC followed by marriage gets to the best of them. Earth to Gambhir - you are not Sehwag - you have not scored 2 Triples - you CANNOT get away with it. Sehwag can get away with anything - maybe even murder - because those "you blink and you miss" inningses of his are so delightful - arent they?

So winning over the Australians has been solely on the shoulders of some great players like Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav - with all of 4 test matches between them before the Perth Test. Zaheer Khan - well he was also part of the WC - the haze, remember? Ishant Shama anyways has been in an alt world since he was picked to be "the player of the future" a few years back. In our country greatness strikes and affects more surely than lightning strikes a field of unearthed metal towers on a plateau.

Frankly speaking, we fans are left speechless by the display. Get these boys down to earth - give them a year, maybe more, off - allow them to shake it off and get back to playing in maybe a couple or dozen or so years - who knows - they may win another World Cup.

Or just shake them strong - one by one - by the ruff.

I have not mentioned Duncan Fletcher. I know the guy takes a salary. But we are hospitable - we dont like foreign coaches to be accountable (same as star players) and give them a long enough rope to tie everyone in knots.

Who Will Make the Last 8 in Group B in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011?

Is India sure of a last 8 berth in the ICC World Cup 2011? Contrary to belief it is possible for India to miss a Quarter Finals berth in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011! India just lost to SA by 3 wickets in a Group B match.


The Group B table stands like this

Group B
Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR

India 5 3 1 1 0 7 +0.768
West Indies 4 3 1 0 0 6 +2.206
South Africa 4 3 1 0 0 6 +1.352
England 5 2 2 1 0 5 +0.013
Bangladesh 4 2 2 0 0 4 -1.241
Ireland 4 1 3 0 0 2 -0.444
Netherlands 4 0 4 0 0 0 -2.728

This is how India can NOT go to the Quarter Finals.

* Bangladesh Beats Netherlands on 14th March
* SA beats Ireland on 15th March
* England beats WI on 17th March
* SA loses to Bangladesh on 19th March
* India loses to WI on 20th March

The points table will look like this

Group B
Teams Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts

India 6 3 2 1 0 7
West Indies 6 4 2 0 0 8
South Africa 6 4 2 0 0 8
England 6 3 2 1 0 7
Bangladesh 6 4 2 0 0 8



All the above results look to be a distinct possibility as of now (except maybe the Bangladesh vs SA tie). In this eventuality - India and England will tie on 7 points each and India will need to have a better NRR to go to the Quarter Finals.

For Bangladesh to make it - they have to beat at least one team (Netherlands or SA) and hope England loses to WI. If Bangla beats just Netherlands and England wins over WI - then the Tigers will be out.

For England to make it - they desperately need to beat WI. In case they fail to beat WI - India will be through and Bangladesh will just need one victory in their remaining matches.

For WI to make the last 8 - they need to pull of just one more victory over either India or England - or hope Bangladesh falters once. They have the advantage of a high NRR so far.

SA has two easy games next. Four out of the five teams still in contention will be going to the last 8. As you can see - it is still anybody's game!

How is the NRR calculated?

The NRR is calculated by the difference between the average runs per over scored against a team and the average runs per over scored by a team. Even though India has a superior NRR as of now, it could change with one big win by England or a big loss by India.

Bottom line - India needs to win against WI on 20th March to make a comfortable entry to the Quarter Finals. Though of course the Group B situation maybe be untangled by then!

(Also see this article at Xomba.com http://www.xomba.com/cricket_world_cup_2011_it_possible_india_not_go_quarter_finals)