A win and a prayer

Team India need a big win against West Indies and hope Australia lose to Pakistan in order to reach Champions Trophy semifinals.

There are two contrasting shades when it comes to India-Pakistan cricket. Its either the war-minus-guns rhetoric or the more romanticised brothers-separated-by-partition one. The players from both the sides have repeatedly refrained from giving their take based on prevailing times,but inadvertently,each time Indian and Pakistani cricketers are within striking distance,the background score changes depending on the mood of the spin doctors.

In the lead-up to Indias opening game of the Champions Trophy,there was a desperate bid to toss words such as revenge in the mouth of those wearing green,while players in blue were instigated to flex their muscles based on statistical superiority at ICC events.

Within days,there has been a 360 degree twist in the tale. With India now banking on Pakistan to beat Australia to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals,it has become convenient to portray the arch-rivals as amicable neighbours who regularly call on each other for favours.

At the press conference MS Dhoni addressed before their last group match,there were repeated attempts to depict Younis as a friend who would walk across to the troubled Indian captain and put a hand around him to say I am there for you.

But Dhoni didnt bite. Dhoni was asked what suggestion he would give Younis that would help them beat Australia by a big margin. No luck,as Dhoni said: He is a good captain,he has a different team.

Another attempt followed: Do you want Pakistan to play their best side?

Dhoni: Its not what we want,its about what they want to achieve.

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As a last ditch effort,even fans were dragged into it: Do you think the Indian fans should support the Pakistan team? Dhoni: It is entirely up to them. Dead end.

Not losing heart,the attempts at getting the perfect quote continued as Younis took Dhonis position behind the microphone,with the point about fans brought up again.

Younis,taking a neutral stand,gave a stern school teacher-like lecture on the exaggerated hype around India-Pakistan games. We should stay neutral about these things. They should be there appreciating a good performance. When we India and Pakistan played,who was the biggest winner? Cricket. It was the biggest crowd in the tournament, he said.

Impressive Windies

Irrespective of how many are cheering for them though,it will be a big ask for Pakistan to beat Australia,who have lost just one of the last nine one-dayers they have played.

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Incidentally,one of the most important variables in the complicated equation are the West Indies; they were also the least discussed. The second-string side,led by Floyd Reifer,have put in two strong performances on the fast and bouncy Wanderers pitch and its not too far-fetched to imagine their quicks troubling the Indian batsmen. However,the prevailing mood around the venues made it seem like a given that the Windies would not provide too much of a hurdle.

India and Pakistan will be playing one hour away,but for some reason,it almost felt like they were going to be facing off once again.