I SEE THE FUTURE...

As I write this, Zimbabwe is strangulating India slowly at Harare. India is struggling at 111 for 5 in 33 overs. That is a run rate of 3.36 runs per over with 17 overs to go. The batsmen in the middle are Ravindra Jadeja (12* of 20 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (5* of 16 balls).

Now, here is what is going to happen next. Yusuf Pathan is going to hit and hit and hit the spin-based Zimbabwe attack and score his career best score (which currently stands at 59* only). Most fans and almost everybody in the Indian media will forgive him for his past performances in the Indian deep blue and forgetting his shortcomings with the short balls, will heap praises on him and his phenomenal ability to change the course of the match.

The hype and hoopla will end when Yusuf Pathan fails in the next match against Sri Lanka... falling to a short ball. India might even lose both these matches (or one of them)... and might find itself on an early flight back home before the finals.

And then God save these boys! The media will cremate them live... and the selectors will be questioned and hung alongwith Ajmal Amir Kasab!