Late Cut

Cricket World Cup 2019 is here. Probably the most challenging of the moment in any international cricketer's life. History beckons a few; those who have won before want to win again; those who haven't want to improve their resume. The pressure on both becomes equal eventually. Its all about expectations and they are at the zenith in the World Cup. Its may be a cliche but those who can handle pressure will do better. And those who adapt to the conditions will come up trumps. Not a rocket science that. So who has better opportunity to handle pressure well and adapt well to the conditions? Being home team, England obviously will adjust quickest and perhaps better than all teams. More importantly, they have eventually got into the swing of the limited overs format and have shed their traditional conservative approach at the batting crease. 

2-1, and one more to go. If you don't win the series now, you won't get another chance for next few decades. Those would be my words if I were the captain or a coach. Like Kabir Khan's "Sattar minute" speech . This IS the Chak De India moment for Team Kohli. India has drawn series only twice in 12 previous trips; in 1988-81 and 2004-05. They have a chance to write a new page in the history of Indian cricket. Last time, India went to Sydney with a chance to win the series was in 2004-05, the test made more famous by Steve Waugh's retirement than the possibility of Australia's series loss. This time Kohli's India is one up already and they can't lose the series. However, I don't think this team is thinking of drawing the series like a few of its predecessor teams. They have, by and large, outplayed Aussies on their home turf. Taking a lead in Melbourne, gives them a great opportunity to conquer that final frontier in the Indian cricket...