MUMBAI, 2 March 2007 — There is a strange paradox attendant on World Cup 2007 whose grand opening is just days ahead.
There are several players who may be fit and raring to go, but are inevitably in the twilight zone of their careers and playing their last World Cup, if not making their last appearance for their national side.
And these are the very players who will be the cynosure of all eyes, as they will be holding the key to their team’s success.
Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jaisuriya and the West Indian wonder batsman, Brian Lara, at 37, are the oldest players in the tournament, followed by India’s Anil Kumble (36).
All three, however, have an important role to play for their sides in the mega event.
Sachin Tendulkar, at 33, is the youngest in India’s dependable batting trio with Rahul Dravid and Saurav Ganguly, both 34, but he is the most experienced player in the team, having made his Test debut seven years before the other two. Like Lara and Jaisuriya, Tendulkar is playing in his fifth World Cup.
While experience counts for a lot, the all-round pace at which one-day cricket is played these days, power strokes, high octane running between the wickets, and lightning work in the field, questions are bound to be posed at the end of World Cup 2007, whether this format of the game is not lending itself more and more for indulgence of those who are more energetic.
The term “younger men” is deliberately avoided, because youth is no guarantee of springboard feet. Take the case of Munaf Patel.
As a commentator in the West Indies remarked, “he runs after the ball, as if he is he is a hundred years old.” There is no denying the fact that most teams will rely on their vintage players. India have done exactly that and left out younger men like Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina and R.P. Singh, the first two, at the risk of weakening their fielding.
As rich in experience as in talent, this is probably the strongest team that India has ever put up for this event, the 1983 team’s stupendous Cup-winning performance notwithstanding.
The side is into a now-or-never syndrome, as most part of this team will not be there for the next World Cup to be held in India.
