ICC KnockOut: Will India's dream run continue?

First it was Glenn McGrath versus Sachin Tendulkar. Tomorrow it will be Tendulkar's class versus Alan Donald's fire. In the former contest, Tendulkar emerged the winner. Can he make it two in a row? Well, that's the million dollar question as underdogs India take on fancied South Africans in the second semi-final of the ICC KnockOut Trophy at Nairobi on October 13.

When the Indian team started their campaign in the ICC KnockOut tournament, no one gave them a chance to go past the quarter-final stage. Obviously then, the Indians have surprised not only the World champs but themselves too. With the kind of the performance against Australia, one can expect that the Indians, at the very least, will put up a strong fight against the South Africans too.

Much of course will depend on how the top players pull up their socks and play up to their potential. Tendulkar, especially showed why he is still is the world's best batsman as he blazed his way through against McGrath and co in the initial overs, but fell to an indiscreet shot. Against the South Africans, led by all rounder Shaun Pollock, he has to play a bit more cautiously for Donald, who has made a comeback after a long break is raring to go. India expects not only a good start from the master batsman, but they also need him to see the side through for a final showdown against the New Zealanders on October 15.

Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid have showed glimpses of their form in England during their stint there. So far they have not capitalised on the start they have made, falling to poor shots. Vinod Kambli, who is making yet another comeback, has played two cameo innings but he too has not been able to convert the 30's and 40's into a big score. The surprise package of the tournament in the fragile middle order has been Yuvraj Singh. In his only innings so far, he has shown that he can be named as the perfect heir to the 'Prince of Calcutta'. Robin Singh, as usual has played his part to perfection, with both bat and ball.

The only cause of worry for the Indians has been in the bowling department, especially Ajit Agarkar who has been expensive while Anil Kumble and Venkatesh Prasad have looked ordinary. Agarkar can be replaced by left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi, who can give some depth to the batting with his lusty hitting and can psychologically put the Proteas under some pressure. It must not be forgotten that the last time around, on the same ground and against the same opponents, he ended with the amazing figures of 10-6-6-5. The pick of the bowlers no doubt has been left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan. He looks a potential match winner with his pace, bounce and movement and has troubled most of the top order batsman so far.

The South Africans have potential match winners in Pollock, Donald, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener and Jonty Rhodes. Kallis played a superb innings and steered his side to an easy win over England. Before South Africa arrived in Kenya, Pollock had said the team management had decided to field Dippenaar at the top of the order and he has lived up to expectations. During their 132-run unbroken partnership against England, Kallis played second fiddle to his younger partner. But so far the middle order of the South Africans has not really been tested.

Both coach Gaekwad and captain Ganguly have been realistic in their approach and the spoken word. They have maintained that they are taking each team on a match by match basis, unlike some captains who fancied their chances of lifting the cup even before the tournament began. Gaekwad has said the boys are confident while Ganguly added the side is ready to take on the Proteas.

Pollock, on his part, has been cautious in his approach as he knows that the Indians are no pushovers. Pollock said "India are a quality team and the players have been brought up on wickets such as the ones here." He added "but we'll be ready for whatever is thrown at us. We know the Indians are capable of going after anybody."

Finally, as a Greek proverb says "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Maybe this is the beginning that the Indians would have dreamt after having gone through nightmares in the past few months. But can the confident Indians go past the redoubtable South Africans? One has to wait till Friday.