Indian Under-19 Cricket Team Reaches World Cup Final against OZ.

 Indian under-19 cricket team today defeated New Zealand  team in the semifinals of world cup 2012 being held in Australia to fix a clash with host Australia for the world cup. India while batting first set target of 210 runs with the help of Prashant Chopra's 52 runs innings in fifty overs.New Zealand in reply fell short by 9 runs on completion of 50 overs.

 This is fourth time that Indian team has reached the finals and they have already won it two times.The team has so far not been up to its levels and batsmen including the captain of team have shown average performances. This could be a drawback as team will take on hosts Australia on Sunday. The bowlers have so far been getting team through tough situations. We wish Best of luck to our young heroes for the last battle.

 When we compare India U-19 team's this performance with the senior team's recent world cup victory; the U-19 team has done some great in reaching finals as they are playing on tough Australian pitches and lacked the crowd support.The performance of the bowling unit has been instrumental throughout and could come out with someone needed at the senior levels. 

 Indian cricket got a few big names from this format in the past. In current team names like Yuvraj Singh and Virat Kohli have come through U-19 level and we must hope the current world cup will also produce some useful cricketers for the future.

 

Will Sports in India See a New Dawn? Secret wishes will come true, Disappointment end?

 India is all set to break all its previous records at London Olympics. This time one record had already been broken; there are record 81 individual participants who are going to represent India in London Olympics. Before you read further about this addition and the expectations let me throw up a few facts about our history at Olympics. 

• India has been a part of Olympics since the year 1900. Back then only one Indian Norman Prichard represented us and brought back to medals. India had sent its first team for participation in Olympics in 1920 and since then we have been present in every addition.

• India has not been a major sports oriented country over this long Olympics tradition. India has won a total of 20 medals in individual and team sports rill now, which include 9 gold, 4 silver and 7 bronze medals in all.

• India has not been able to enter top ten medals telly till now and our best rank so far has been 17 in the 1900 Olympics. 

• I terms of total medals won in a single addition; Beijing 2008 Olympics was the best with 3 medals.

All the above facts show that sports in India has not been a big deal and we have been almost invisible at world level. Even if we were to put all our medals together; Team India will still fall outside top 20 ranked Nations in any addition.

But there is twist in the tale; With our performance at Beijing, Delhi Commonwealth games and Asian Games Indian youth is suddenly looking more hungry and eager to prove itself. This attitude is main reason for highest number of contingents qualifying for London Olympics.

Sports experts in India are this time predicting a major improvement in medals tally. According to their modest optimistic predictions India should win at least 5 Gold medals. Looking at the teams and Individuals most of these medals are expected to come from Shooting, Boxing, Archery and Wrestling. Badminton is highly competitive game so expecting Sayna to get Gold medal is going to be harsh on her.

Hockey as we know; has somehow revived and made it to London Olympics and it will be major achievement for them to even reach top six.

Athletics, rowing and table tennis could also bring home the glory but the colour of the medals may vary on the basis of the form and performance.

Last but not the least Indian tennis- With all that had happened during selection and team formation process the team spirit and individual character of our Tennis Legends and newbie are going to be tested to their limits. It is interesting to see how Sania Mirza can team up with Leander; as she had initially spoken against his and official's attitude. Mahesh And Bopanna are a good team and are going to be our main medal hunters in tennis.
As far as Leander is concerned his chances have already been curtailed because of a young partner , but you never know it with a wounded lion coming back at its prey.

 Whatever said and done, its no secret that India is all set to change the trends and sports in India could see a new beginning by the time London Olympics end.