NEW DELHI: For many the semifinal is the final before the final. The summit clash is just one step away and all the hard work along the way can easily turn to a naught. Add all the hype, the politics, the history that goes into an India-Pakistan tie and what you get is a contest waiting to boil over.
Down the years, some of the semifinals in the World Cup have been most thrilling. In the inaugural edition in 1975, Australia bowled out England for 93 but then slipped to 39/6 before Gary Gilmour pulled them through. In 1992, Pakistan looked all but buried against New Zealand before Inzamam-ul-Haq hurricane half-century powered them into the final. It was Australia's turn again to pull off the Houdini act in 1996 and 1999 editions.
Under Mark Taylor the men from Down Under were on their way out in 1996 at Mohali with West Indies cruising at 165/2 chasing 208 to win before Shane Warne spun his team to a five-run win.
In the next edition, Lance Klusener's two boundaries left South Africa with just one run to win off three balls with one wicket standing before a maniacal run-out helped the Aussies secure a tie and entry into the final.
Out of all these clashes, only Pakistan in 1992 and Australia in 1999 went on to clinch the title which indicates not all teams have the wherewithal to recover from a draining semis encounter. Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan, however, feels that India are in a good shape going into the final.
"The pressure of playing in a semifinal is much greater than that in the final. As India and Pakistan faced off in the semifinals the pressure just multiplied," Imran Khan said on Thursday. "India have gone through the test by fire. My advice to them will be to just enjoy the final," the former Pakistan all-rounder said.
Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga, the last non-Australian to lift the World Cup in 1996, agreed with Imran. "The pressure on India will be far less as compared to what it was on Wednesday. It is good to see both the Asian favourites competing in the final," Ranatunga, who was in the capital as part of Idea's Champions of the World initiative, said.
Kapil Dev, India's only World Cup-winning skipper, believed that both India and Pakistan played well below their par in the semifinals in Mohali. "Both teams played extraordinary cricket to reach the semis but they failed to play up to their potential. India need to go out and passionately play the final. The pressure will be there but it is important to enjoy the final," he said.
The weight of expectations might have lifted after the Pakistan win but Mahendra Singh Dhoni should not settle for anything less than the title.
Captains' Pick
Kapil Dev: Being an Indian and with the final taking place here, I will definitely favour India to win. But the Lankan players are dangerous and they are playing as a team.
Imran Khan: India will go on to win with the great self-belief they have built up after the win on Wednesday. Sri Lanka though will be expected to put up a much bigger fight.
Arjuna Ranatunga: I think it is 50-50 at this stage. I am a little concerned about the Lankan middle-order, though. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been phenomenal, with his batting, bowling and fielding, Upul Tharanga has performed well and Kumar Sangakkara has been consistent, but Mahela Jayawardene has failed to fire since the Canada match and the middle-order is struggling. But my heart still says Sri Lanka will win.
Allan Border: I believe Sri Lanka have the capability to upset India. They have a strong bowling attack with three quality spinners in Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. Indians showed their susceptibility in facing quality spin bowling in Mohali.
Clive Lloyd: I've always said that catches win matches - Pakistan's mistakes came back to haunt them. The team that gets all disciplines right will have the edge. I am still slightly tilted towards India.
toi
Down the years, some of the semifinals in the World Cup have been most thrilling. In the inaugural edition in 1975, Australia bowled out England for 93 but then slipped to 39/6 before Gary Gilmour pulled them through. In 1992, Pakistan looked all but buried against New Zealand before Inzamam-ul-Haq hurricane half-century powered them into the final. It was Australia's turn again to pull off the Houdini act in 1996 and 1999 editions.
Under Mark Taylor the men from Down Under were on their way out in 1996 at Mohali with West Indies cruising at 165/2 chasing 208 to win before Shane Warne spun his team to a five-run win.
In the next edition, Lance Klusener's two boundaries left South Africa with just one run to win off three balls with one wicket standing before a maniacal run-out helped the Aussies secure a tie and entry into the final.
Out of all these clashes, only Pakistan in 1992 and Australia in 1999 went on to clinch the title which indicates not all teams have the wherewithal to recover from a draining semis encounter. Pakistan's 1992 World Cup winning captain Imran Khan, however, feels that India are in a good shape going into the final.
"The pressure of playing in a semifinal is much greater than that in the final. As India and Pakistan faced off in the semifinals the pressure just multiplied," Imran Khan said on Thursday. "India have gone through the test by fire. My advice to them will be to just enjoy the final," the former Pakistan all-rounder said.
Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga, the last non-Australian to lift the World Cup in 1996, agreed with Imran. "The pressure on India will be far less as compared to what it was on Wednesday. It is good to see both the Asian favourites competing in the final," Ranatunga, who was in the capital as part of Idea's Champions of the World initiative, said.
Kapil Dev, India's only World Cup-winning skipper, believed that both India and Pakistan played well below their par in the semifinals in Mohali. "Both teams played extraordinary cricket to reach the semis but they failed to play up to their potential. India need to go out and passionately play the final. The pressure will be there but it is important to enjoy the final," he said.
The weight of expectations might have lifted after the Pakistan win but Mahendra Singh Dhoni should not settle for anything less than the title.
Captains' Pick
Kapil Dev: Being an Indian and with the final taking place here, I will definitely favour India to win. But the Lankan players are dangerous and they are playing as a team.
Imran Khan: India will go on to win with the great self-belief they have built up after the win on Wednesday. Sri Lanka though will be expected to put up a much bigger fight.
Arjuna Ranatunga: I think it is 50-50 at this stage. I am a little concerned about the Lankan middle-order, though. Tillakaratne Dilshan has been phenomenal, with his batting, bowling and fielding, Upul Tharanga has performed well and Kumar Sangakkara has been consistent, but Mahela Jayawardene has failed to fire since the Canada match and the middle-order is struggling. But my heart still says Sri Lanka will win.
Allan Border: I believe Sri Lanka have the capability to upset India. They have a strong bowling attack with three quality spinners in Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. Indians showed their susceptibility in facing quality spin bowling in Mohali.
Clive Lloyd: I've always said that catches win matches - Pakistan's mistakes came back to haunt them. The team that gets all disciplines right will have the edge. I am still slightly tilted towards India.
toi
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