Well, it had to happen some day. While Australia have prospered in this tournament despite Ricky Ponting's loss of form (and occasionally temper) it is ironic that just as their skipper rediscovers the touch that made him such a formidable batsman, the rest of his side lacked the cutting edge to reach the semi-finals. Well done, India! After twelve years as world champions, Australia have finally had their grip on the trophy prised loose, but who will replace them?
India may have a billion people cheering them on, and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar leading the charge, but their impressive batting line-up had yet to show any kind of consistency. Today that changed. The Aussies' total of 260 set India a challenging target and much of that was down to Ponting's gritty hundred, his thirtieth in ODIs. It featured only eight boundaries but he looked assured against both seam and spin. Haddin scored another fifty but Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan did for the middle-order. So, fast forward to the start of the Indian response. The crowd went berserk in anticipation, of course. OK, so Sehwag looked shorn of his usual swagger. He didn't even score a boundary from his first ball! Fortunately, his opening partner looked at his best, sparring with a fast but wayward Shaun Tait, duelling with the excellent Brett Lee and coming out on top, at least for the first hour or so. After his 53, Gambhir and Kohli also played their part before a rejuvenated Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina finished the job, and Ponting had probably played his last World Cup game. I'm sure the same goes for Lee and both Husseys, although there is still plenty of life in all of them!
With Australia out, can India go on to win it? Well, there is a small matter of a semi-final against Pakistan to get through first. That should be a belter, especially after the way Shahid Afridi et al destroyed West Indies yesterday. I can't help thinking Tendulkar and friends will deal with the tricky spinners better than the hapless West Indians. Mohammed Hafeez was almost unplayable at times, while Afridi's leg spin and Saeed Ajmal's off breaks also wreaked havoc. Then of course Hafeez led the onslaught with the bat, too, completing the embarrassment for Darren Sammy's side. From the depths of despair just eight months ago, Pakistan are beginning to look potential world champions again. We all know about Tendulkar but it could be a fight between the all-rounders Afridi and Yuvraj Singh to decide which goes through to the final.
I can't see New Zealand beating South Africa, and I reckon England have the momentum to reverse recent one-day fortunes against Sri Lanka. I think Pakistan could beat South Africa but not England. India can beat absolutely anyone on their day, but their bowling is their weakness. Zaheer Khan can only deliver ten overs and that's the problem. My heart says India can emulate Kapil Dev's 1983 winners but the head favours England or South Africa.
