India's theoretical success rests on Tendulkar: Report
Sunday, March 9 2003 15:28 Hrs (IST)

London: The biggest reason why India is the only team which can stop the Australian juggernaut at the World Cup is 'Kohinoor diamond' Sachin Tendulkar.

So feels the British media which said India was "gaining a merciless streak" and was best-placed to prevent the Aussies from winning their second consecutive title.

"There is conclusive reason for fancying India to harry Ricky Ponting's Aussies -- Sachin Tendulkar," said 'The Independent' on Sunday. "It would be the crowning moment of a magisterial career if Tendulkar's runs could help India into the final and give it victory."

In a column in 'The Sunday Times', former Australian skipper Steve Waugh also felt that Tendulkar can lead India to its second World Cup triumph. "Indians are on an upward trend, and, to me, on course for a final showdown with Australia. They have a chance to win their second World Cup because of Sachin Tendulkar's form and that of their quick bowlers," Waugh wrote.

"It's about peaking at the right time, and with the semi-final and final, it takes only two quality efforts to be victorious. "India is capable of chasing any total, and if it can harness the goodwill from the colossal support they receive, then anything is possible," Waugh wrote.

In another article in 'The Sunday Times', Simon Wilde described Tendulkar as the 'Kohinoor diamond' and said India's chances depended largely on him.

"Given that India's attack is a toothless tiger on a good pitch, its theoretical success rests on Tendulkar playing a brilliant innings of the kind he summoned for Pakistan's benefit last weekend.

"He does have it in him to bat in a manner that can leave any bowler running for cover, and has played as well in this tournament as ever in his life, even if he did unexpectedly fail against Kenya on Friday to plunge all of India towards a collective nervous breakdown."

'The Independent' said India was playing with a lot of purpose and there were reasons to believe that the masses of the sub-continent will soon have the "team their devotion merits".

"India is also gaining a merciless streak, which tends to be a key factor in successful modern sides. It has always played attractively but now they play purposefully too," the paper said.

"They are less prone to crumble, as English spectators should know," it said referring to India's triumph over England while chasing 325 in the NatWest Trophy final at Lord's last year. "It showed them something, it showed everyone else something. They are nobody's patsies."

PTI

Extras:
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