World cup sans India....

Days before the world cup all of us were discussing which indian batsman would top the highest scorer's list. All sachin bashers were saying that now he has two chances to add to his centuries list (other one wud have been against Bermuda). Gangu bhakts were going gaga over his stupendous comeback. Dravid fans were hoping for atleast semi-final bearth if not the cup. All of these groups were busy in one upmanship for/against their targets but all were certain of one thing. India in super eights. India can definitely cover up for week bowling and fielding aspects. That was sure event just waiting for execution. To watch India play in octagonal tourney was such a delightful prospect that we took sky sports package for it.

They say world cup kicks off with Brazil's and India first match. obviously, one is soccer's and other cricket's. Windies played Pakis in official inaugral match but it was India vs Bangladesh match which started the world cup in true sense. 17th March 2007. It was saturday. India were playing Bangladesh. Another day another match. Though I could have watched this match but I was not interested in watching one-side affair. So confident was I that didnt even check the score whole day. "Whats the point?" I told my friend "India wud score 350 and bangladesh wud score 254 and we will win". I was roaming around London with Manu and Keshto. We reached home at 10 in the night and Dravid was finished with his interview with Arun Lal. I thought that I heard Arun wishing Dravid best of luck for the next game. I dismissed it but I was shocked to hear Arun Lal inviting Habibul Bashar after Dravid. "What the f***" I shouted "we lost!!!!!!" While Bashar gibbering about his youngsters, I was waiting for cricinfo to open. It was all written all over. India shocked by bangla tigers. Unthinkable had happened. Oh...god scored just 7. Gangu played a painfully slow inning, yuvi cudnt carry on, dhoni flopped, sehwag was as expected, bowlers throwed rubbish, we were worse than UAE in fielding.
From there on, India were playing catching up. They trampled over Bermuda, Lankans helped us by defeating Banglas but India were again found wanting against Lankans, the masters of choking death. Dilhara cartwheeling Sachin was the most painful sight of all. That was it. It was all over. We were out of the cup. The feeling started sinking slowly after Bermuda were beaten by bangladesh.
Ireland gave us the only happy moment of the cup (though it was short lived with woolmer's demise showing the reality mirror to fans). After that 8 teams played on for another 1.5 months. South Africa, my next favourite, after having a blow hot blow cool cup were dumped by Aussies and finally Aussies, in true Mike Tyson style, knocked hell out of srilankans.

Another world cup over and we slumped to another lows.......just too bad. This world cup was so boring, that I got bored while writing this post. I started writing this one while super eights had started and finished it one week after the cup. so much for boredom and laziness yawaaaannn......