The world is watching. All eyes on Mohali and everyone wants to be there, politicians, leaders, actors, industrialists, guests from oversees... people are fighting to be a part of the great spectacle that's the India-Pakistan WCC Semi Finals.
What is it that's making it so special? You tell us...
India-Pak played the WCC last in 2003. It's a battleground - this time for Pakistan, because in the last four WCC games India has won against Pak.
With the PM, Manmohan Singh asking the Pak PM, Syad Yousuf Gilani to watch the match, speculation is rife that some major diplomatic moves may be in the offing.
Sachin Tendulkar, destiny's blessed cricketer, would be the first cricketer to achieve 100 ton in International cricket. After Ponting, Afridi is also playing mind games by telling that they will not allow Sachin to achieve the feat. Let's see if Sachin has any different plans.
If there is a feather in Sachin's cap that still does not exist, it is the world cup trophy. This seems to be a gift that the Indian team wants to give him on probably the last world cup he'll play. The kind of gentleman he is, he fully deserves this. Let us see if the team raises itself to the occasion to give the perfect farewell gift.
This was a team that was totally written off - beleaguered with controversies and bad morale, but here they are in top form, under the capable captaincy of Shahid Afridi. They came as dark horses and surprised Australia and Sri Lanka topping their group. They devastated West Indies to blast into Semis. They will now be tested against the tournament favorites having home advantage.
Winners, all! India can boast of the most balanced batting side with a perfect mix of experience and young blood. The batters are leading the charts with Sachin(379), Sehwag(342), Yuvraj(341), Gambhir(269) and Kohli(238). This line-up can tear apart any bowling attack and ahead lies litmus test for the side.
The tournament's best batsmen meet the tournament's best bowlers in a World Cup semi-final in Mohali. Pakistan boasts one of the most versatile and potent bowling attack. Shahid Afridi has been there chief wicket taker with 21 wickets in this World Cup, already a record for Pakistan.
He is very ably supported by Umar Gul (14 Wickets), tournaments best fast bowler along with Zaheer Khan. Wahab Riaz has been stable and along with Mohammad Hafeez, Abdur Rehman & Abdul Razzaq they form a potent bowling unit with plenty of options for Afridi.