Whatever might be the criticism of the format of this world cup or any other not-so-cricketish issue that has spoil the party so far, but there can’t be a second opinion that on 23rd of march two of the best teams will dress-up to fight for the right to be called world champions.

There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that mighty Aussies are the best team in the world at this time. This team defines the professionalism and has set standard of the perfection for last few years. A team that can afford to drop the great Tuga (Steve Waugh) and produce the results they have in the absence of its strike bowlers in Shane Warne and Jason Gillespie is justified in gaining the mythical status of UN-BEATABLES, although I believe this title only belongs to the Windies of 70s and 80s.

The only team that is open for the debate of being the best is the Indian team. Ever since their triumphant victory over Pakistan I have been writing that India is the only team that is blessed with the talent and the potential to beat Aussies. A point can be made that South Africans are the second best team in the world, but those who saw all of their games (as yours truly did) might argue otherwise. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Windies don’t even come close to the class of team India.

The stage for the final of the world cup 2003 is set in the old and the historic city of Johannesburg. The city is notorious for its crime rate and if my memory serves me right some of the Pakistani players were stabbed in the same city few years ago. The game is at “The Wanderers”, yes the same ground where Aussies humbled Pakistan. The highest score, 310, on this ground was scored by Australia against Pakistan in that game. The pitch seems to be a good one for batting and would provide a good show.

The turning point for the team India came on march 1st when they beaten arch rivals Pakistan in a match that will be remembered for the genius of Tendulkar. Highlight of the game was Sachin Tendulkar smashing Rawalpindi express a huge six that probably might have landed in Rawalpindi. The other game that has played very crucial role in India’s world cup performance was their humiliation in the hands of Aussies, the game that turned cricket crazy Indians into an uncontrollable mob. When the players’ houses were stoned, reportedly Srinath rallied the whole team together and gave them a spirited speech and requested them that in such times they must trust and help each other. Srinath championed the idea of huddling after the fall of each wicket and discuss their strategy about the next batsman, which looked ridicules but has brought the team together.

The turning point for the team Australia came in the world cup final of 1999 when they cut Pakistan to size and ever since have played perfect cricket. I can’t write more than that about them, can any one?

Match ups to watch in the final.

Tendulkar against Mc Grath and Brett Lee.

This is going to be a delight to watch. Mc Grath has commanded respect from Tendulkar over the years and succeeded in getting him out, very cheaply, in the slips in the crucial super six match of 1999’s world cup. Brett Lee needs to learn a lesson or two from his soul mate Shoaib Akhtar and remember that you cant terrorize Tendulkar with speed, and that you must bowl at a line and length where you don’t let him play his favorite strokes. With the reflexes that almighty has given to Tendulkar I am sure Mc Grath wont pose a big threat to him and neither would Brett Lee.

Surav Ganguly against the wrath of Aussies’ quickies.


Its almost certain that Gangully will be practically opening the batting, as I seriously doubt that Shewag will survive for a long. A batsman who lacks any defensive stroke in his repertoire can only be compared with the likes of Shahid Afridi, a delight to watch if their fluke works otherwise they leave a bad taste in the mouth of a fan. Ganguly will have real troubles to play Brett Lee and might even get out early. If he survived an early aggression of Aussies I think he can play a good innings.

Rahul Dravid against Hogg and the quickies.


Dravid is one of the main strengths of the Indian batting and it will be an ideal opportunity for the young batsmen to see how one keeps his left elbow high, bring bat close to his body and place ball in the gaps to frustrate fielding captain.

Zaheer Khan and Srinath against Hayden and Gilchrist


India these days open bowling attack with Zaheer, who clearly lack experience and needs to be talked to by a senior player. Ganguly fields in slips and Tendulkar in short cover that leaves the mid-off and the mid-on to the youngsters. I was surprised to see that, in the game against Pakistan, none of the senior players were having a dialogue with Zaheer when he wavered and had troubles in checking his over-stepping. I hope it doesn’t happen again otherwise none of the grounds in the world has a boundary that Adam Gilchrist cannot cross. And boy oh boy, it’s a fun to watch him clear the fielders.

Srinath, though is a spent force but still, is one of the front line bowlers in the Indian team, I think Aussies will have troubles against him to score.

Captainship


Aussies are known to groom their captains, on the other hand in sub-content every thing is a fluke and on ad hoc bases. It seems that Indian cricket has come in terms with the idea to keep a single competent face in the forefront of all the happenings. Although I think Pointing will out maneuver Ganguly in most of the departments, but Indian captain is very articulate and calculative in his approach too and would be assisted by one of the finest brain the world cricket named Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

The way Indian team has came back and turned into a single cohesive unit is commendable and I hope it is for real. Indian team must keep the pressure on the Aussie batsmen, as they have been exposed by the likes of English, Kenyans and black caps. Aussies have a batting line that only has a single tail-ender namely Glenn Mc Grath.

Indian team is playing their top class cricket and their game against Kenya was basically no-game, and so was Aussies’s game against Lankans hence Aussies wont have the edge they had over Pakistan in 1999 after winning two nail biters against, then, mighty Africans.

Indian batting has learnt to be independent of Sachin Tendulkar, not to be mistaken that India can win world cup without the vital contribution by Tendulkar.

My pick would be India over Australia for reasons I just gave, but I don’t think it will be an easy win.

I long believed that world cup belong in sub-continent and I hope India will bring the world cup trophy where it belongs and millions of Indians will gladly be welcoming the trophy back home.