If the reputation of the big teams has gone topsy-turvy in the football World Cup, international cricket is getting as unpredictable with teams threatening to touch 500 in 50-over games. Tennis is also making news, Swiss legend Roger Federer getting back as No 1 stepping into his favourite grasscourt season after Rafael Nadal enjoyed the position on clay. The World Cup is just into the second week, but looking at the surprising results, one is not sure which favourite to put money on as most of them are struggling to get into rhythm.
Champions Germany were beaten by Mexico, Argentina held by Iceland, and Brazil had no answer to the robust Switzerland defence. It’s not that the top guns did not have shots on goal, they simply went awry. Stats show that Argentina had 27 attempts, Germany 26 and Brazil 21. The one team that marched into the last 16 without any hiccups are Russia and joining them are Uruguay. As Russia, this is the first time they have got past the group stage, though as USSR they had finished fourth in 1966. Uruguay have a better World Cup record and star striker Luis Suarez would like to make one last attempt to carry his side far into the knockout rounds. Indian cricket has to find media space. When the World Cup heads towards the business end, India would be busy in England.
Like on both previous occasions, players and aficionados think the team has a good chance of winning in England. Officials and fitness experts are taking things so seriously that the Anil Kumble-introduced yo-yo test is turning out to be a nightmare for the players. Rohit Sharma was not amused by the board’s announcement or leak that Ajinkya Rahane has been asked to be ready in case the vicecaptain fails to clear the test. The BCCI’s General Manager, Cricket, Saba Karim was at pains to explain why this test was conducted after the team selection.
He blamed the IPL for not conducting the tests earlier and added that now on, teams will be selected after players take the yo-yo test. Ironically, two bright performers of IPL 2018, Ambati Rayudu and Sanju Samson, failed the test. Mohammed Shami was also dropped for the Afghanistan Test for failing to clear it. England scoring 481 in 50 overs against Australia makes the sport open to realising 500 in the format. Australia coach Justin Langer was right when he said, “It’s nothing like anything I’ve seen before.” If 400-plus becomes routine, it could turn the sport upside down.
Wimbledon will clash with the World Cup and tennis stars have their own fitness problems. Federer and Nadal have dominated the last six Grand Slams, winning three each, while Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have struggled with injuries. Federer in the last two years skipped the French Open and there was speculation that Nadal might avoid Wimbledon. Though he may not have had serious grasscourt match-play, he is still a potential threat to Federer. The women’s scene is a little hazy with no clear favaourite, making it a lot more exciting. (The writer is a veteran commentator. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at sveturi@gmail.com)