Fans turn up the heat as India still wait to make the cut

The general feeling around is that India have qualified for the World Cup quarterfinals. But the sudden turn of events in Group B is such that India haven't yet made the cut. There are many ifs and buts to overcome before they clinch their place in the last eight.

 

Even Dhoni believed that his team have already made the cut. It should be noted that India have only seven points with three wins and a tie. If India lose to West Indies, who in turn go on to lose to England, then the situation could be a tight one.

Now that Bangladesh have beat the Netherlands, and if South Africa beat Ireland tomorrow, that will leave three teams from Group B (South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh) with eight points each and India and England tied on seven points, forcing the last slot to be decided on run rate.

Run rate

Right now India has a better run rate than England and they should make sure they do not crash to a big defeat against West Indies. They should also hope England does not register a big win over West Indies.

India's defeat to South Africa hasn't been received with any compassion by the Indian fans. The team are now reeling under major pressure. Unless they record an impressive victory over West Indies in the next match in Chennai, they may not be able to win back the hearts of the Indian fans. According to information from the Indian camp, the attack on Team India over their shoddy performance was so intense that players preferred to spend their time behind closed doors before the flight to Chennai.

It is understood that some of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) members have demanded a quick analysis of the problems with Team India and also checking out if players are taking it easy.

Cancelled practices

Journalists following the Indian team have complained that Indian cricketers do not train as much as the other teams. Practice sessions have often been cancelled or postponed with short notice.

Following Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's comment that the Indian fielding is unlikely to improve, a close analysis on all the players is being done.

What is upsetting everyone is when 37-year-old Sachin Tendulkar can put in all the effort, why can't the others?

Ifs and buts to stop India

• March 14: Bangladesh beat Netherlands yesterday and made it six points.
• March 15: If South Africa beat Ireland, they go to eight points.
• March 17: If England beat West Indies, England will have seven points.
• March 19: If Bangladesh beat South Africa, Bangladesh will get eight points.
• March 20: If West Indies beat India, West Indies will have eight points and India remain on seven points.

This leaves India and England with seven points each. And other teams on eight. The run rate will come into play then.