For all those epitaphs cricket writers tend to pen on the ODI game year after year, the ICC Cricket World Cup happens to be the flagship event of the sport. And as you already know, the 11th edition of the marquee event is upon us.
What MS Dhoni & Co. achieved on the momentous night of April 2, 2011, is well and truly the stuff of legends. But history doesn't guarantee you the future, let alone conquer it.
Defending that crown in faraway Australasia is going to be a Herculean task. And the first of nine stepping stones is a head-on clash against a bunch of talented and eager chaps from across the border.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka and Australia vs England will set the ball rolling on Valentine's Day. However, the World Cup will well and truly come to life at the charming Adelaide Oval on Sunday when India have a crack at Pakistan, a team they have beaten every single time at the quadrennial showpiece tournament. The next 44 days belong to cricket. May the best team triumph, then.
Is the buzz missing?
Not exactly. The previous edition of the World Cup was held in the subcontinent and no other country can match the euphoria for the sport in India. But the Aussies don't really believe in starters. The general talk is that when the competition gets under way, sport-hungry Aussies will make their way to the venues.
Are the matches sold out?
The opening match between Australia and England, to be staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, is expected to attract 90,000 people. The all-Asian affairs between India-Pakistan (Feb 15, Adelaide) and Afghanistan-Bangladesh (Feb 18, Canberra) will witness handsome crowds.
What are India's chances?
A pragmatic look at the happenings of the past three months will tell you that India are struggling. Their batsmen are not in the best of form. And their bowling is limp-wristed. Going by their recent form, India are not expected to go beyond last eight. If they do make it beyond that, it will be a pleasant surprise.
India vs Pakistan! Who's your money on?
Experts say those who can hold their nerves, will emerge the winner and MS Dhoni is known as Captain Cool. If we go by the history, India should win this contest on Sunday. The Men In Blue defeated their arch-rivals in convincing fashion in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003 and 2011.
Who are the players to watch out for?
Players to watch out are Virat Kohli (India), Rohit Sharma (India), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Steve Smith (Australia), and Kane Williamson (New Zealand).
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