CWC 2011-"8 countries 1 dream"-The ICC cricket World Cup.

 The Cricket World Cup finally returning to the Indian sub continent after 15 years. Initially India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were to co-host this but Pakistan was withdrawn as a host due to the prevailing security concerns in the country (the final nail in the coffin was the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan). Now that the game has come to the knock out stages all the nail biting encounters are to its closing stages. The following are just a hint of the teams who will play the Quarters and then the Semis and to the grand Finale.

Now, that we are to the wire of the tournament there are 8 teams who are equal to each other in no means and out of which only one will emerge as the Champions

INDIA

Many consider this as India's best chance since 1983 to regain the World title. They were one step away from it 8 years ago and the media is full of buzz about how this could be the team's perfect gift to Tendulkar. Agreed that the team does look very strong but it really has to guard against all the pressure of playing at home. The World Cup is a big stage and the team has to transform all the talent on paper to action on the field for its forth coming knock out stages. The bowling might be India's weak link. I personally believe that the bowling from ZaK needs to come good for their own survival. India might well have the best batting line up presently but the flat decks would mean that it is the bowlers who need to shine if India has to make it far. My pick of the tournament would be Shewag and Zak. If they can remain fit for the rest of the tournament, India surely has a great chance at having a go at the title. The Indians have one good starter at top and they go like pack of cards towards the wire when it comes to batting and in bowling, the first few over are left wide open that the opponent capitalize and only when it comes to the spinners they turn it around for a real competition.

The major advantage of the knock out games will be for the Indians since they will play with full support of their home crowd if they knock their opponents at each stage.


The Quarters will be at Motera-Ahemadabad,
The semis at Mohali-Punjab and 
The finals will be at Wankadae-Mumbai. 

AUSTRALIA

When it comes to World Cups, one can never count out Australia. Their sheer love for the big stage and their immense experience playing in World Cup games always makes them stand apart. The Australian player to watch out for would surely be Shane Watson. He has been in great form of late with both the ball and the bat. None the less the Aussies who are the current defending Champions under the leadership of Ricky Pointing. 

PAKISTAN

By far, the most unpredictable cricket team on earth. They can be dismal and brilliant, both within just a space of a day. Pakistan has always been blessed with raw talent and this time is no different. On their day, Pakistan has the team to beat anyone in World Cricket. The recent success against the Aussies would have ensured that the team is in the right frame of mind.

ENGLAND

The English with a spate of injuries in the tournament means that they might just have a struggle to pick a first choice 15 with Morgan being the biggest name brought in for KP who had to leave the team when it needed him the most. The team is probably one of the better teams that England has fielded in the recent World Cups but it will really need its bowlers to come to the party if England has to harbor any hopes of going all the way in this tournament. 

NEW ZEALAND

The black caps New Zealand For them to be successful this time around, they would need at least 4-5 players to come to the party at every game and relieve captain Super Dan ( Daniel Vettori) of a lot of his burden. They somehow seem to magically bring their A game at a World Cup and the fact that they have made it through to the Semi Finals in some of the previous World Cups stands  testimony to that. 

SRI LANKA

The Lankan lions in their own den have always been one of the toughest opponents in World Cricket. Sri Lanka stands on the cusp of yet another World Cup victory and a perfect swansong for the great Murali if their lower middle order can get their act together. The top order seems to be fine and their bowlers have been steady in the recent past without being spectacular. Watch out for the toe crusher Malinga. He might just hold the key to Sri Lankan success this time around. 

WEST INDIES

The likes of Richards and Clive Lloyd would be shedding tears seeing what West Indies cricket is going through in the recent past. In the official ICC rankings, the team started off with a defeat to the South Africans. A new captain in Darren Sammy and a recall for the experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan, will hopefully work well for them. The man to watch out for has to be Chris Gayle the destroyer-in-chief.

SOUTH AFRICA

Long associated with the Chokers tag, South Africa would be waiting to shed the tag off at this year's World Cup. As always, they have an amazing team with each member of the team good enough to win a game on his own. They will be sweating on the fitness of Jacques Kallis, who can make a huge difference to the team composition. They are also probably waiting to unleash the spin talents of Imran Tahir, someone whom the international cricketing world saw him picking up 4 wickets in his debut match against the West Indies.