Expectation from World Cup cricket

Now that cricket's ultimate gala gets going, the game's followings the world over are bracing themselves for some thrilling and pulsating encounters. The media in particular are smart enough to fan emotion, passion, individual or collective obsession and general euphoria over the favourite teams. Of course, participants are divided into an elite club and minnows. But the good news is that the difference between the Ivy League and the late entrants is fast narrowing. In this respect, Afghanistan has indeed been able to step into the spotlight within a very short time. On their day, their batsmen can blow away any attack and bowlers make the lives of the willow wielders of the opponents miserable.
Although in the longer version of Test their positions are yet to be confirmed, teams like Afghanistan are showing tremendous progress. No wonder, some of the high performers in the game of yester years has dubbed this tournament the most open so far. Maybe, they are right to a large extent. But for minnows like Scotland, United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe to cause an upset against the contenders is perhaps out of the question. Ireland and Bangladesh hold the distinction of bringing down the strongest of teams a few times in the past. But taking the turf and weather conditions in Australia and New Zealand into account, it is hard to envisage that this time they will add any such feather to their caps.
It may sound unpleasing but there is a hunch that the big three from the subcontinent will meekly surrender to the pace and bounce of the 22 yards in both Asia-Pacific countries. The World Cup champions India now on the Australian tour for about three and a half months have won just one practice match so far against Afghanistan. Sri Lanka lost both Test and limited version series to New Zealand like India did to Australia and in the tri-series involving England as the third team. Pakistan has done no better in recent times and in practice matches. It will be no surprise if they return empty handed and without making it to the last four.
However, this will not only largely dampen the enthusiasm of cricket fans in this part of the world but also have some impact on the fat revenue that acts as the fuel for the game. The India-Pakistan high-voltage match can be an indication to that fact. Even if the stadiums will be able to pull spectators, the sponsors most of which are from India will not feel interested in pouring their money into TV ads. Cricket earns its lion's share of revenue in India. No wonder therefore, all are interested in retaining Mahendra Singh Dhoni's boys in the party. If India departs early, it will deal a body blow to the cricket economy.
Just imagine the part of big money in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It attracts the very best from all over the cricketing nations. And no matter if the exponents of the shortest versions admit it or not, the fact is that it has done a lot of harm to Indian cricketers aspiring to be Test players. Even the difference between the team when maestros like Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly, Laxman played and the outfit comprising Kohli, Rahane, Dhawan and Pujara is so vivid. All are talented but the earlier quartet had Test foremost in their minds while the latter just have to excel in both versions of the limited over matches first then they have time to think over Tests.
Not all is therefore well when the T20 and 50-over cricket capture headlines and are used as money-spinners. Sidelining Test cricket is not very wise. India in particular must share the greater part of the blame for this damage.