The Castrol Predictor gives 64% chance for India and 36% for England at Bangalore.
The great all rounder, Amarnath has opined that victory will be India's at Bangalore.
All are expecting a great cricketing war today at Bangalore. For the last two years, England has put in exemplary performance, barring the 6-1 defeat to formidable Australia ! England is not a team to be trifled with, feels M Amarnath, member of the 1983 victorious team which brought India the World Cup.
There are some disconcerting factors for England. Pietersen is not in form and the form of Collingwood is also another disturbing factor. ( even though he has done well with the ball ). Pietersen has moved himeself to the opening slot, but in the ten matches before this WC, he has only managed an average of 25.
Indian batting is far better than England, feels this veteran. There is not enough space in the team for all eight world class batsmen and one of them has to sit out ( Sachin, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvraj, Raina, Kohli, Dhoni and Pathan ). The Indian team has depth with Pathan coming in at No 7, Bajji at 8 and Zaheer at 9. Chawla, who has scored two centuries in one dayers, comes at No 10. Only Munaf is a rabbit with the bat. ( Zaheer and Bajji were seen having batting practice at Bangalore ). Bowling is India's weak link and Zaheer will have to give a spirited performance. Spinners will play a pivotal role and Chawla will play well. Swann can be dangerous also.
Any team can have a bad day in office ! WI imploded at the 1983 final, 140 all out.
Yesterday, SL imploded. Sanga who said that they will chase 280 easily, could not achieve that objective. Akthar sent back Mahela and Thissara, both clean bowled. SL was weakened by the absence of Malinga and Mendis.
Since Moola is ruling till 1450, India will have to be careful. After 0250 PM, Poorvashada, Pooradam will take over. So the toss time will be a bit disconcerting. Extreme caution should be exercised. Sehwag, Yuvraj and Dhoni, be careful ! Care + Diligence = LUCK !
Strauss is hoping that India will take them lightly. " We generally raise our games against better sides " the polite English skipper said.
IPL all rounder Ravi Bopara, said that English spinners can cause problems to Indian batsmen, if a spin track is given. ( This is a theory contradicted by Mathew Hayden, who says Indian batsmen play spin very well, from the cradle itself ! Hayden said that Warne tried to spin too much in India, with the result he was thrashed by Sachin & Co in the Australian tour of India ! ).
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