As the sun is setting over the Marina, a beach so
broad that the water appears to begin at the horizon, Australia is practising
in the outdoor nets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. From a distance, Steven
Smith looks to have been at bat for an eternity, and Mitchell Starc’s run-up
appears to be almost as long.
It’s an exceptionally chilly evening for Chennai. The
early arrival of the monsoon has left the tree-lined streets leading to the
stadium wet, but the reprieve from the oppressive heat is overshadowed by
concern for the outcome of the game. Locals are optimistic that any
weather-related delays will be minimal. which is fortunate.
With apologies to the other teams, this World Cup will
burst to life when India take on Australia today.
The tournament’s big game will be India vs. Pakistan
in Ahmedabad. India against. Australia is an entirely new experience for
cricket fans, whereas England vs. Australia has the weight of history and
tradition. They have been the most deserving opponents over the past 20 years,
generating epic, gladiatorial, astounding, and unforgettable battles. It is, in
many respects, the purest sort of sporting rivalry, based primarily on the
standard of the cricket, the performances it has produced, and the memories it
has engendered.
Great players and performances are measured against
the toughness of their opponents, and Indian players of the last two
generations have their Australian links firmly established. The likes of
Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma have all put their
names on the map with a raft of coming-of-age performances against these very
opponents.
Australia’s domination at the World Cup has its
origins in India, where they overcame a deficit to win their first championship
in Calcutta in 1987 in front of the largest World Cup final crowd. They began a
journey during which they rose to the top in every format. When he said in 2001
that India was their ultimate frontier, Steve Waugh, one of the masterminds
behind that victory, elevated India in the eyes of his countrymen as a credible
opponent for Australia. India has since followed suit step for step. No other
side has defeated Australia in back-to-back home victories this century, and no
one has taken more Test series from them.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, a cricket venue steeped in
the history and tradition of the game, where the reverence, affection, and
concern for the sport are obvious in every wall, as well as the spectators that
will fill the arena on Sunday, seems to be the right setting for this event.
The stadium itself shines with a fresh coat of white, the stands have just been
rebuilt to let in sea breeze, and the outfield is lush. Newly painted murals
that greet you as you enter the main entrance show off Chennai’s rich cricket
history.
When the coin drops on Sunday, it will be a match of
equals because India is on a roll and Australia has dropped five of their
previous six one-day internationals. Against what appears to be the
best-prepared Indian side at a World Cup in recent memory, Australia will don
its tournament armour.