The moment of reckoning has arrived. It is a stage where some will take a step forward and some shall come to accept the reality and fade away. The knockout stage of any sport brings the combative spirit out. We saw how South Africa, not at their best in the league stage, blew a strong Sri lanka away with a thoroughly professional show.
A total of 133 obviously was hard to defend for Sri lanka but they have none to blame for the pitiable state they found themselves in. The batting collapse came at such a wrong time there was no time left to recover. Cricket can be harsh sometimes. Kumar Sangakkara, one of the finest batsmen the game has known, struck a century each time he came to the crease in the previous four matches but failed to inspire the team in this do-or-die situation.
Sangakkara ought to have taken charge when he saw others departing. Much depended on him and he had the ability to tackle the South Africans who bowled with fire first and guile later. The fast bowlers did a splendid job and then Imran Tahir complemented them with a skilful display of leg-spin. His variety kept the Sri lankans guessing and it must have surprised many that a team from the sub-continent succumbed to a spinner.
There was none to take the pressure in the Sri lankan top order and it was a pity their worst show came in a knockout situation. Such a lop-sided start to the quarterfinals was indeed disappointing.
One must remember that in the knockout stage there is little to differentiate the teams. It is well accepted in one-day cricket that the team who play best on that particular day wins. South Africa played their card well and decimated Sri lanka clinically. The bowlers were the architects with their sustained spells, an ominous sign for their opponents in the next encounter.
I know India are the favourites but the pressure of a quarterfinal will be different. They can’t make the mistake of treating Bangladesh as a weak opponent. Mahendra Singh Dhoni should know this fact well. He was part of the team that lost to Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup group match which resulted in India’s early exit.
Bangladesh are matured opponents. They have the stuff to surprise the established teams and the victory against England confirmed the progress Bangladesh have made in this format. Their batting has looked compact and the bowling has to be treated with caution. They are a much-improved side with consistent performers in Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan. I am also very impressed with the spirit that Rubel Hossain brings to his fast bowling.
For India, I want Rohit Sharma to fire at the top. He must bat to his potential because he is a crucial component of India’s batting strength. The rest are all in superb form but they have to ensure they control the game. There is little for India to worry in the bowling department and I expect the team to take their expected slot in the semifinals.