Ganguly's gang can emulate Kapil's Devils
Somi Rai - 4 February 2003

It was a warm summer's day in London, England on June 25,1983. The final of the third Prudential World Cup was being played at the Mecca of cricket, Lord's. The finalists were India and the West Indies. On paper it seemed such a mismatch that many reporters already started to prepare their drafts on how the West Indies' had won their third consecutive World Cup before the match even began. Seven hours later they were eating their words, for David had slayed Goliath yet again. Drafts were shredded and new ones were prepared. India had overcome all odds, all predictions and more importantly, overcome the might of the West Indies, beating them by 43 runs and winning the World Cup. Since that glorious day in 1983, every Indian fan has dreamt of a repeat in each of the World Cups that followed.

In the next World Cup in 1987, the Indians made it to the semi- finals before being literally swept away by Graham Gooch and England. They were a no-show in 1992, though, they did have some close matches. The World Cup that followed in 1996, then, seemed to provide the best chance after 1983. After beating Pakistan in a thriller at Bangalore, no one expected Sri Lanka to bring India crashing down the way they did in Calcutta in the semi-finals. In 1999, India barely made it to the Super Sixes where their only win was against the old enemy, Pakistan, against whom India have a 3-0 record in World Cups.

Another edition of the World Cup has now come around, this time in sunny Africa. If India ever had a chance to win a World Cup after 1983, surely this opportunity would surely rank as the best. India have in their line-up, the batting trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly. These three alone have aggregated more than 23,000 runs in one-day cricket, with over fifty 50's. These three need no introduction and are feared and respected the world over.

India have also unearthed some very promising youngsters over the past couple of years. Virender Sehwag has already made a name for himself in world cricket with five whirlwind centuries. He is an attacking batsman in the Tendulkar mould. He has also taken over the burden of getting quick runs at the start of an innings from Tendulkar. Sehwag is also capable of getting crucial wickets with his seemingly innocuous off-spinners.

Another young talent, Yuvraj Singh made his mark on his ODI debut against Australia in Kenya where he hit 84 crucial runs as India knocked out Australia in the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 2000. Yuvraj is a hard-hitting batsman and an excellent fielder. The catches he took against South Africa in the Champions Trophy semi-final in Sri Lanka would have made Jonty Rhodes proud. Nine of his 10 one-day 50's have fetched India a victory. He bats at number six which is probably the toughest spot in a batting line-up. It is to his eternal credit, then, that he seems to have measured up to his responsibilities.

Harbhajan Singh has perhaps had the most effect on the team among the youngsters since his rebirth against Australia in that magical Test series in 2001. This off-spinner has bowled very well in one-dayers too while also remaining economical. His batting in the lower order has, meanwhile, gotten India quick and crucial runs.

Mohammed Kaif announced himself on the world stage when he along with Yuvraj helped India stage one of the most dramatic one-day chases of all time when he made 87 not out and guided India to victory over England in the NatWest Series in 2002. For a batsman who comes in at number 7, he displays nerves of steel and superb innovation in getting the runs. Along with Yuvraj, he also forms quite a formidable fielding wall.

Zaheer Khan has been perhaps the fast bowler Indians fan have longed for. A quality bowler to complement the excellent Javagal Srinath who has been carrying the burden of the Indian pace attack for many years, Khan's bowling against Australia in the ICC KnockOut Trophy in Kenya in 2000 was a revelation. Khan has time and again bowled superbly at the death of a one-day game and with unerring accuracy. A good example of this was during the Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka where he took wickets with a McGrath-esque economy rate. He is no mug with the bat either and is quite capable of lusty blows, which Henry Olonga found out when Khan smote him for four sixes in an over.

The year that has passed by - 2002 - was one most Indian cricket fans would remember fondly. India, under the aggressive leadership of Sourav Ganguly and the able guidance of coach John Wright, won one-day series' in the West Indies, England and were joint-winners in Sri Lanka. One could see the 'fire-in-the-belly' attitude in this team which was not evident previously. They won matches where there was no hope.

Ganguly's leadership reeked of passion and aggression. No longer was an Indian captain a passive observer of incidents on the field. Ganguly instilled in his bunch, the self-belief, the desire to win and the never-say-die attitude. Come the World Cup, every Indian cricket fan would be praying and hoping that Ganguly's gang play with the same firebrand approach as they did in 2002 and win games they have no right to win. If Kapil and his team could upset the apple cart in 1983, Ganguly and his boys can also pull off the same if they play with determination and the power of self-belief.

The views expressed above are solely those of the guest contributor and are carried as written, with only minor editing for grammar, to preserve the original voice. These contributed columns are solely personal opinion pieces and reflect only the feelings of the guest contributor. Their being published on CricInfo.com does not amount to an endorsement by CricInfo's editorial staff of the opinions expressed.

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