Champions Trophy

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From 1987, till today, it’s almost 22 years of experience of me watching Cricket. Today’s World, experience is what it counts when you need any job. 1987 Reliance World Cup when started every one said by looking into crystal ball that its going to be India Vs Pakistan in the Finals.

Say it expert’s curse or what, but every ICC tournament whenever started and had HOST as the favorite team to win it, it bounces back just like Newton’s Third Law. Every Action has equal and opposite Reaction. (Something like that, who in the world remembers Physics)

1987, India and Pakistan, Tournament favorite both lost in Semi-Finals and gave a birth to champion Australian. 1992, Best World Cup ever organized @ Australia and Australia was by far the most strong and favorite team and they didn’t even qualified for Semi Finals.

1996, World Cup came back to sub continent and again Pakistan and India were favorite but alas came Lankans.

2007, World Cup went to South Africa and again bookies gave them clean cheat and said, the jinx is finally going to be broken, but never underestimate the force (& Foster’s Beer).

Again, this time, 2009, Champions Trophy is being held. So, what do you look for in a champion team. Left and Right hand combination to open the inning, world class all rounder, couple of exciting young middle order batsman and best fielders, one hard hitting all rounder, world record holding wicket-keeper batsman, left arm spinner, off break spinner, left arm young fast bowler, right arm best fast bowler in the world.

These mighty south-Africans got all of above, except perhaps a leg spinner but look around entire world is out of leg spin bowling. Ever Since Warne retired there is something missing in the world cricket and that is the grace which is gone.

When Tournament kicks off tomorrow, South Africans are not only going to be crowd’s favorite and ICC number 1 team in ODI’s but even bookies and everyone who is betting would put their money on them. But just like Life, there are always sharp unexpected turns and thrills that Cricket has to offer and that’s why we will be glued to television for next two weeks to see this thrilling adventure.

As long as Dhoni is the captain of India, and exciting Yuvraj in the middle order with GOD Tendulkar and terminator Bhajji, India is always going to be exciting team to watch & win and billion people’s hope and pray could take them all the way.

Australian Pride is at the stake, winning 4 world cups and they are the defending champions, Watch out they will be up for it.

Everyone wrote off Pakistan but what happened earlier this year in 20/20 world cup? They will be there to prove that it was not a fluke.

New Zealand is always a threatening side in these short tournaments as they proved in Millennium year.

Tournament underdog will be Sri Lankans. Can they start the upset tomorrow when they take on South Africans?