Am picking a New Zealand - India final!!

I could start this either way - by boasting that I had picked three of the semi-finalists much before the World Cup began (which any Jack or Jill with not half a clue on Cricket could have done), or by admitting that I had not an idea about the impending turnaround in the way, the Men in Blue would play. Going by the build-up to the tournament, I was in fact, categorical in my prediction that India would not go past the quarters. I got that woefully wrong.  

The result of a majority of the matches up until the first round of knockouts could have been predicted soon after the first half had been played, if not before. But given the quality of their performances so far, the last four teams should give us exciting contests.

Have heard some past cricketers pick a South Africa – Australia final, going by their strength on paper. But am going to stick my neck out and pick a New Zealand – India final. These teams have had more all-round performances and have momentum seriously going their way. With Adam Milne ruled out of the World Cup, New Zealand could find it difficult in the bowling department, but Boult, Southee and Vettori have been right on the money, backed by McCullum’s aggressive captaincy. And if South African batting gets into trouble, the tail does not have a particularly great reputation to hang around, that could work against them. 

India, on the other hand seem to have almost everyone in form, except for Ravindra Jadeja, though he too has bowled some useful spells. In the spinner friendly track that SCG is expected to be, he could well justify the reasons for being backed all along. After the way Aussies played against Pakistan last week, am expecting some short stuff from the Indian pacers, we’ll have to wait and see if India decide to exploit that recently exposed chink.

Can’t wait for the match to begin tomorrow and see if I got 'em right this time.