http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 more likely to be victorious in the big clash against Pakistan
Indian cricket team, favourites to win 2011 World Cup, is more likely to win their clash against archrival http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391.
The World Cup's most popular cricket team has lived up to the expectations of their fans, and will be hoping to do it once more. However, their opponents should not be taken lightly who have slowly but gradually been gaining momentum
and pose a major threat to India’s cause.
The hype created by the media is enormous and players from both teams are under immense pressure. Expectations from followers has reached a new high, creating a make or break situation for cricketers from both sides. The hosts
will have the advantage of crowd support backing their side from start to finish.
Indian skipper, Mahindra Singh Dhoni is confident of his side’s preparation for the match. He is not worried by what the media from both countries is saying and wants his team members to focus on the game.
"We are playing the semi-finals. The most important thing is how you prepared yourself irrespective of what is happening around you. And that is what we have been doing in the past few days," Dhoni said.
Historically, team India has edge over their opponent at World Cups; however, Pakistan emerges as a clear winner when their head to head record at one day internationals is considered.
In 119 one dayers between the two great cricketing nations, Pakistan has won 69 matches, while 4 ended in a tie or with no result.
These two teams have so far faced in 4 World Cup matches and the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Green-c60723 Shirts have came up second on all four occasions.
It all started at the 1992 World Cup when Indians defeated Pakistan in Sydney by 43 runs. Similarly, the quarter-finals of 1996 World Cup at Bangalore repeated the same performance as they came out on top by 39 runs. Similarly,
in 1999 at Manchester, the Men in Blue over-powered their oppositions by 47 runs. And finally, in 2003, they routed the Pakistan team by 6 wickets.
So three out of four times, India batted first and it would hardly come as a surprise if after winning the toss Dhoni opts to bat first.
However, one factor that should be kept in mind while batting first is the dew factor. The pitch at Mohali is ideal for batsmen and there is little doubt in that. Bowling second, on the other hand, will be an issue as it gets difficult
to grip the bowl. Keeping in mind the spin based bowling attack from both teams, it is advisable to bat second.
Considering the recent form of players from both teams, it would not be difficult to postulate that the match will be between the Indian batsmen and Pakistani bowlers.
Pakistan’s strength lies in their bowling - a strong unit with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, and the Rawalpindi Express Shoaib Akhtar. All of them are attacking bowlers and always go for the kill instead of
containing the batsman.
Afridi has been the leading wicket taker in the tournament with 21 wickets under his belt. Gul has also been instrumental and has taken 14 wickets. Mohammad Hafeez has been supporting them well with crucial wickets early on and
has claimed 7 victims up till now.
Indians, on the other hand, rely heavily on their batting with a fire power that can dismantle any bowling attack. With the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429, Yuvraj Singh, Gautham Gambhir, and Little Master Sachin Tendulkar, the Men in
Blue always look to score big and keep their opposition under pressure from the moment they step in the field.
Tendulkar has been leading the pack with 379 runs at an average of 54.14. Sehwag and Yuvraj have also scored more than 300 runs at an impressive average of 57 and 113.66 respectively.
Come this Wednesday, these statistics will become history. What matters is which team can handle the pressure better and hold their nerves till the last moment. No matter what the outcome of the match is, all cricket lovers will
be in for a ride of life time.
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