It’s been one dream run for the men in blue. After a whitewash in the test series against Australia, Team India seems to have pulled up their socks and have been on a winning streak at the World Cup; proving that it truly is a India vs. the World tournament. With the men in blue now roaring into the semis, things have begun heating up for cricket fans with all eyes focussed to see if Dhoni and his men can bring back the Cup. The excitement is palpable as cricket fans in the city cheer for their favourite team.
“I am really excited as it’s been a big achievement for Team India to make it this far after a poor show in the test series and triangular in Australia. It’s especially heartening to watch the team play as one unit,” says Karthick Umesh, a trade finance specialist. He adds, “More than just winning all the matches, the team has outperformed in each game by picking all the wickets and creating a record in the World Cup. Each player has chipped in when required. It would be great to watch India take on South Africa in the finals since it’s always fun to watch the giants butt heads.”
Even Meghna Naidu, a city student, who is otherwise a team Australia fan, is impressed with India’s performance so far. “They came in a little as the underdogs since they got whitewashed in the test series against Australia but their WC form has been great. They’re unbeaten along with New Zealand so that’s pretty good. I think they’ve gotten pretty easy games throughout – except for the one against South Africa (SA) but we know SA can be vulnerable in World Cups. I think the semis will be the real test for India. It will be interesting to watch India play against strong contenders like New Zealand or Australia in the semis,” she says, adding she still hopes Australia makes it to the finals and manages to win the series.
For Partha Choudary, a student, there would be nothing like a nail-biting Indo-Pak semi-finals. “The first match against Pakistan set the tone of our World Cup campaign and we’ve been on an unbeaten streak so far. It gave us the much-needed confidence to retain the title. That said, there would have been nothing better than an Indo-Pak semi final, especially with the Aussies on top of their game at this point! Post which, a clash with our unbeaten counterpart, the Kiwis, would make for a great finals, if we manage to make it till there,” he says.
Elaborate plans are already being laid out to catch the anticipated semis and the finals by fans. Matta Sumanth Reddy, a final year B.Tech student, who is hoping to see India butt heads with New Zealand in the finals, says, “I’d love to watch the home team take on the Kiwis in the finals in the comfort of my home. There can be nothing better than watching the grand finale on a big TV with some good food and soft drinks with friends for company. It’s really the best way to watch the World Cup finals.” With the semis falling on a week day Partha plans to sneakily follow the match while at work. “But for the finals a bunch of us friends will meet up at one of our homes,” he smiles.
