Australia or Sri Lanka? Team India in catch-22 situation All the eight teams that would play the quarter-final of the cricket World Cup being played in India and Bangladesh have been decided almost, and there was no wonder result in the expectation. The top eight test playing teams Australia, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and West Indies are in the quarter final fray. Who will play with who is a matter of speculation but is really not that important to deliberate on this? In the current scenario, India will play West Indies today in the first round last league match, the result of which would decide its position in its group and the team for the quarter final clash. India has lost the chance of being on top of the group and its position would be either second or third by win or defeat against West Indies respectively. A win will find them facing Australia in the quarter final knock out match; otherwise it will play Sri Lanka in the QF. India did not want to face either of these teams in the quarter final; their preferences were New Zealand and Pakistan. Is this really necessary to express preferences in a tournament, which certainly do not boost the mental condition of the players? Having inhibition in terms of the opponent before the game is indeed detrimental to playing abilities, I believe. The team has be the best to win the cup, and in cricket it is only limited teams that have played with each other end number of times.
Cricket, first of all, is a game of tremendous uncertainty, where focused approach is utmost need of the hour. With Ifs and buts in mind the players would face the dilemma of giving their best as they would have given with open free mind.
I don’t think this situation for India today before playing against West Indies is a catch 22 situation at all. Media take every opportunity to raise the insecurity and ambiguity for their own interest, as the people love to have this kind of news.