Search:



The Web

Rediff









Home > Cricket > Kiwis in India 2003 > Reuters > Report

India seeking World Cup revenge

October 22, 2003 18:05 IST

India face a tough task to avenge their humiliating World Cup final defeat by Australia in a one-day triangular tournament starting on Thursday.

Australia overpowered India by 125 runs in Johannesburg in March after an equally ruthless nine-wicket victory in the tournament's group stages.

But Ricky Ponting's side arrive with diminished firepower because of injuries to leading fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee, as well as the continued absence of banned leg spinner Shane Warne.

Australia will still be the team to beat but Indian hopes of playing them in the final on November 18 could be dashed by New Zealand, the third side in the tournament.

The Kiwis face the hosts in the opening day-night game in Madras on Thursday inspired by recent history.

Stephen Fleming's side displayed typical resilience to draw a two-Test series 0-0 this week to kill off India's hopes to make amends for their 2-0 defeat in New Zealand late last year when their batsmen looked clueless on seaming pitches.

With the teams due to play each other three times in the group stage, New Zealand will get opportunities to keep the hosts out of the final just as they did to Australia in January 2002 when South Africa went on to win the tournament.

GANGULY ABSENT

India start their campaign with uncertainty after captain Sourav Ganguly was ruled out for at least two matches due to a groin injury that also forced him out of the second Test in Mohali.

Stand-in captain Rahul Dravid could face further pressure with leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar struggling for form.

Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in one-day history, made just 71 runs in four innings at an average of 17.75, including a scrappy 55 on a flat Mohali pitch.

India's bowling could also be severely tested by the absence of left-arm fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who is yet to recover from the ankle operation he underwent after capturing 15 World Cup wickets at an average of 19.26.

Experienced seamer Javagal Srinath, nursing a knee injury and contemplating retirement, will be another important member from the World Cup squad to miss the triangular series.

By contrast, New Zealand have quickly adapted to Indian conditions and will be further boosted by the arrival of key all rounders Chris Cairns and Chris Harris.

Although the experienced Nathan Astle has flown home early with a knee injury, middle-order batsman Craig McMillan has rediscovered his batting form, averaging 237 in the Tests to end a prolonged form slump.


Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor




Related Stories


We have lots of plans: Fleming

Astle ruled out of ODIs

No revenge match-up: Fleming



People Who Read This Also Read


Tri-series tougher than W'Cup

Chopra disappointed with debut

'Not trying to prove anything'






© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.


Kiwis in India 2003: The Complete Coverage




Share your comments


 What do you think about the story?




Read what others have to say:


Number of User Comments: 6




Sub: Rabbit's revenge can't hurt lion.

In recent past, We were talking about same revenge language when Kiwis landed here for the two test match series. All we know What was ...


Posted by abhay chitnis





Sub: Pls dont write with such titles

The media always hypes up the things, like revenge, badla etc. Remember what happened in the so called BADLA test series with NZ. All the ...


Posted by madhu





Sub: ...

I only hope that this "revenge" doesn't turn out to be like the "revenge series". Srikara


Posted by Srikara





Sub: not again

werent they trying to seek revenge aginst NL as well!


Posted by boyk786





Sub: India seeking WC revenge??!!!

Please..don't talk about revenge any more..we've all had enough of it and we've seen the kid of revenge India took against the Kiwis!! Any more ...


Posted by Anshul




Disclaimer







Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.