In all probability, India will be eliminated before they even play their last match by this time tomorrow. After the washout of their match with Australia, they got 1 point ( they were lucky). The way the Aussies were progressing and the confidence the Indian side has exhibited this far – India would have lost. Now they have to bank on Pakistan to beat Australia and then to beat West Indies by a huge margin. Frankly, they don’t deserve to qualify. They are not playing their best cricket, nowhere near it. The bowling is pathetically out of gas. Except for Nehra and Mishra yesterday, the bowlers suddenly seem to be at their wits’ end. The batters are under tremendous pressure and key players like Yuvraj and Sehwag are missing adding to their already overflowing cup of woes.
I guess the team is really low on confidence. It can be seen easily. All these theories of fatigue, too much cricket, callous Board are true to a certain extent, of course. But boys, get your basics right. Work hard, practice hard and have the hunger to win when you sport your national colors. With so much cricket taking place, the loyalties seem to be shifting towards making money than in upholding national pride.
Let’s see how this depleted side performs tomorrow. My gut feel is that they are already out of the tournament in their own minds.