My predictions seem to be coming true, with India battling tooth-and-nail for entry into the Super Eight. Their persistence with Sehwag, despite opposition from players with a different mindset tells its own story.

Captain Dravid must have heaved a huge sigh of relief as Sehwag finally justified his confidence, albeit after a gap of nearly 64 ODI innings.

This run-riot against the hapless Bermuda was sheer murder. In the process, India became the holder of the world record in highest World Cup total. And all this, despite the drubbing at the hands of Bangladesh at the same ground.

Isn’t it funny that India hold or have been holding so many records, mostly individual, but never the one for consistency to take them to the top in world ranking as the best team? Quite like one day down in dumps and at the top on the next. Never really trustworthy, though full of stars. Or, more appropriately, as unpredictable as the West Indies or Pakistan.

Once again Bermuda turned out to be the lambs in a slaughterhouse. They are no better than any team in Mumbai’s Kanga League F division.

We don’t see so many potbellies even in the Kanga League. I wonder how they managed to qualify for World Cup.

However, credit to them for their catching. That looked superlative, something India need to learn if they really aspire to do well. Some of the catches were out of the world — such as the one taken by the huge James Leverock, diving right from first slip to dismiss Robin Uthappa. Then there was one at long on by Janeiro Tucker scooping the ball one-handed to dismiss Dhoni — he really couldn’t believe his own eyes at his acrobatic antic. Even their wicketkeeper was outstanding, saving the widest of the wide deliveries. All three, mind you, were heavyset people.

... contd.