Up until the start of the World Cup on Saturday, we’ll be posting our preview of each of the participants.
We start today with the favourites and joint-hosts India, for whom Sachin Tendulkar could crown a quite remarkable career by scoring his 100th international hundred (he starts the tournament with 97) in the final in his hometown of Mumbai to hand India its second World Cup – 28 years after they stunned West Indies at Lord’s. Well, that’s what the Holly/Bollywood scriptwriters want anyway.
Strengths
Where do you start? A batting line-up that starts with Tendulkar and Sehwag and has the likes of Gambhir, Kohli, Yuvraj and Dhoni to follow is arguably the strongest in the competition on paper. The cherry on the top is the monstrous hitting of Yusuf Pathan who could prove to be one of the stars of the tournament. Chuck in home advantage, Dhoni’s shrewd captaincy, the cunning brilliance of Zaheer Khan and a plethora of bowlers who can take the pace off the ball, then it is hard to argue against India lifting the World Cup come 2nd April.
Weaknesses
To say the expectations of Indian supporters are high would be a colossal understatement and a fickle media will soon start getting on the team’s back if there are any stumbles. If things go wrong, expect plenty of burning effigies.
Main man
You can’t look past Sachin Tendulkar, although we’re expecting big things from Kohli, Pathan and Zaheer too.
Look out for...
The earthquake caused by a billion souls should Sachin indeed reach 100 international centuries.
The Reverse Sweep's Prediction
Having said that you’d have to be a fool to bet against India that is exactly what we’re going to do. We predict a serene progress to the final before they are be shocked by... (you’ll have to wait for later in the week when we reveal our tip for the cup).
Where next?
Our XI to shine at the World Cup
Yusuf Pathan goes from zero to nine on the Richter Scale
Graduates from the Sehwag School for Batting announced
Sachin Tendulkar's Annus Mirabilis
Check out all our other Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes featuring amongst others Yuvraj Singh, Graham Gooch, Kamran Akmal and Imran Khan
If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep
Somehow, I feel that the batsmen will be the ones disappointing...its been a long time since Yuvraj, Dhoni and Raina fired...
Posted by: tracerbullet007 | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 18:19
Oh you tease. I predict that you are going to predict a triumph for the unpredictable Pakistan.
Posted by: MartDawg | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 21:49
You may be right. But Raina may not even get in the side - I presume they will go with Kohli instead?
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 09:09
Just wait and see Martdawg!
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 10:22
sachine is best. he is god of cricket
Posted by: katrina kaif wallpapers | Friday, February 18, 2011 at 04:33