And nothing else matters

For India, it is crunch time as they begin their second game of the super 8's. The contrast of the big picture is enough to raise a million questions. Will Sehwg play? Will Yuvraj be dropped to give way for five bowlers and will Dhoni finally hit form. The room for making errors is extremely scanty, or none to be precise. Not just because it’s an India vs Pakistan encounter, but also because its a must-win situation for India. Confused, yet inspired, India will be looking to rest their demons come Sunday.

When its India vs Pakistan, nothing else matters. The mother of all clashes has always been the one with emotions for both the nations and this one too is way beyond the dimension of being just being a cricket match. And to top that, it’s a World Cup. If the last three years are to be believed, its India's game going on past performances. But a platform not decided on past records and statistics, Pakistan hold the edge due to their recent run of form. Beating the Indians in a one off warm-up, thumping Bangladesh in their group game and winning a competitive fixture against the South Africans have only highlighted their odds of going all the way.

More than just the team selection, Indian openers are a reason to worry along with their death bowling problems. Zaheer Khan, who is supposed to be their top front-line bowler, is failing to make the ball talk. After their dismal performance against the Aussies, will India continue their five-bowler theory or go ahead with their seven batsmen one can be anyone's guess. For Pakistan, nothing could be more in place. Openers Mohammad Hafeez, and Imran Nazir have more often than not provided their team with a firm opening stand. Middle-order batsmen Nasir Jamshed, Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik have thrashed every bowler there is to have faced. Saeed Ajmal still continues to trouble batsmen with his doosras and pacers Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir haven't just got wickets but have also contributed with the bat whenever needed.

The million dollar question however, going into Sunday's encounter is over Virender Sehwag. It has to be the hardest decisions ever for a captain to leave out someone like him. Accepted, he might not score big. But what if he smashes 24 off two overs or 40 off four? That would be enough to change the complexion of the game. More than his duration to stay at the crease, it’s the fear that he instills if he gets off to a start is what counts. Dhoni would have plenty to answer incase Sehwag doesn't play and India don’t make it. But known to be the gambler that Dhoni is, one can never randomly take a shot what's in store. He may defy all the cricketing odds and may yet pull out a rabbit from his hat.

Pakistan would be looking to extract revenge for their semi-final loss to India during last year's World Cup and Sunday's victory can just end up being the poetic justice for them. India on the other hand will be looking to repeat their 2007 T20 performance which obviously won’t be easy. Dhoni has plenty on his plate.