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The pressure and poison of the Super Eight, Vengsarkar’s tip, and Gujarat’s heroes

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. The most prominent question posed to Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav, South African coach Shukri Conrad, and their batter Quinton de Kock revolved around one gripping word—pressure. Undoubtedly, the Super Eight matches are high pressure games. Yadav went to the extent of stating that if there was no pressure, there would not be any fun playing this game. At the same time, players and teams can crack under pressure. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav speaks about pressure. Photo: ICC It takes a lot of mental strength to play in front of nearly 100,000 people in Ahmedabad. Even the bravest can succumb to the tension. To perform withstanding the deafening roar from the crowd requires nerves of steel. For some, the pressure settles on their shoulders, tightens its grip, and clouds their judgment — and in that moment, courage falters. Only the brave can brush it off and avoid committing a blunder. As Conrad said, the pressure during a...
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Abhishek Sharma’s runs awaited, Samson’s chances debated, and snacks celebrated

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad.  The moment India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel settled into his chair for the press conference on Friday, the first bouncer came flying—Abhishek Sharma’s three ducks in this World Cup. The real question behind it: will he be dropped for the Super Eight match against South Africa. Morkel intelligently answered that question, saying Sharma is an entertainer not just for the team but for all the viewers. It did not reveal whether he will be in the eleven or not. It is a fact that this World Cup has been cruel to this finest entertainer. Anand Subramaniam, media manager for the India team signals for the first question to Morne Morkel. Photo by K.R. Nayar  The wait for the first run Cricket sometimes exposes your nerves, strips off one’s confidence, but asks you to bat again as if nothing has happened. Some survive the pressure, but three ducks and the long walk back to the pavilion must have been shattering for this 25-yea...
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The high-voltage Super Eight showdown, and the impact of Indian flags

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. The time has arrived for the intense Super Eight contests. Before one takes off into the world of exciting cricket, let’s see whether these contests can push everyone to the edge of their seats and whether T20 cricket will be at its electrifying best. It is a fact that only teams with steel in their spine and fire in their veins will survive. India and dark-horse Zimbabwe have arrived with a clean record, announcing that they are out to conquer any opponent with surgical precision. Journey to the Narendra Modi stadium through a parade of flags. Photo by K.R. Nayar  The charm of the rest A glance at the rest of the pack reveals a dangerous truth — every team here carries the spark to become a conqueror. Pakistan thrives in unpredictability; it is their chaos that becomes their greatest weapon. If they rise above the pressure, they can be unstoppable. Zimbabwe has muscled their way to the top of their group with grit and fear...
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The art of Dube’s clean hitting and the science behind India’s unbeaten run

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. What makes Shivam Dube a clean hitter? After watching his mighty shots in this World Cup, I wanted to know from him whether anyone had given him any advice on this, or was sheer hard work, or was it that he had been given a free hand to play these shots. After his match-winning knock of 66 against the Netherlands, I got the opportunity, and his reply was simple and filled with humility. “Definitely, sir. I worked really hard, but there is something called support that is given by Surya and Gautam. They have given me a free hand. So I go and hit because they trust me a lot. Also, I need to back myself in that situation.” Shivam Dube addresses the post match press conference. Photo: ICC From his response it was clear that it was not just power-hitting, but an art mastered through persistent hard work. The confidence comes from silencing any self-doubt. As a boy, at the age of 14, he had walked away from the game for five years...
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Majestic Narendra Modi stadium, Kohli’s necklace, and a memorable book launch

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. The entrance to the Narendra Modi Stadium is majestic, as majestic as the stadium itself. When dressed in T20 World Cup colours, it looked spectacular. When at the stadium, one feels it is a venue where cricket roars the loudest. Nearly 100,000 people can comfortably watch the match. It is a venue that inspires Indians because on the walls at the entrance to the press conference room are huge images of India’s first T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and the 50-over World Cup triumph in 2011. It is also a venue that makes the people of Ahmedabad proud, as they have the biggest cricket stadium in the world. The majestic entrance to the Narendra Modi stadium dressed in World Cup colours. Photo by K.R. Nayar Typing with the roar of the crowd At the pre-match press conference, Netherlands skipper Scott Edwards candidly remarked that it is a massive opportunity to play at the biggest stadium. Almost every team in the world feels the s...
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Vociferous Indian fans in a “Silent” Airport, and disappointed Pakistan fans

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By K.R. Nayar From Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad. It is really hard for a losing team, especially if it happens to be Pakistan, and that too against India. The Pakistan fans and their former cricketers are tearing the team to pieces, some even urging the senior players to quit cricket. The cab driver who took me to Colombo airport is hoping for an India-Sri Lanka final. This, I believe, is what most Sri Lankans too want.  My flight back to Ahmedabad via Chennai was an early one and I was at the airport by 6 am. There were many Indian fans too taking the same flight. Some were singing A. R. Rahman songs Jai Ho and Vande Mataram. Pakistan’s patriotic song Dil Dil Pakistan was rarely heard at the stadium. It was more of sadness that filled Pakistan’s fans’ hearts, minds, and souls. Watching happy and sad fans After the India-Pakistan match, it was a sea of mixed emotions among the fans. Cricket, in its cruel beauty, draws a line between agony and ecstasy. Paki...
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Is the India–Pakistan contest turning into a fading rivalry?

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By K.R. Nayar From R. Premadasa Stadium Colombo. India’s 61-run win over Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium was nothing but a familiar script. This time it was louder, too bold, and ruthless. Once upon a time, India–Pakistan clashes were heart-racing and nail-biting. If this is the trend, very soon cricket fans in Pakistan will have to tell their coming generation that there was a time when their team used to give India a strong fight, but that was very long ago. The suspense of an India-Pakistan match has already started to fade. However, fans are still eager to watch, hoping for a twist leading to an intense battle. Unfortunately, that has not been happening in the last few years. Pakistan came in with hope. But India sent them back with a reminder that they are too strong for them. When one team keeps getting it right and the other is searching for answers, the contest starts losing its bite. In the chapter of rivalry between the two teams, one team is writing history; t...
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