Tale of two world champions

Sports as they say is something more than what meets the eye. Having been an ardent sports fan all my life, I found it fascinating to note the striking similarities between the current World Champions, one of cricket and the other of football or soccer. The similarity starts with both being team sports in which strategy, planning and team bonding plays a major role.

The two teams which bears this resemblance is India and Spain. Both are the current defending champions of the World and look good for retaining the cup for some time given that both the World Cups are in 2014..

Another interesting fact to note here is that not only are they the World Champions but also their Continental Champions i.e. holders of Asia Cup and EURO Cup respectively. A closer look at these two Cup winning teams, we find quite a lot of coincidence.

• First things first, let us talk about their captains. Adeptly led by M.S.Dhoni and Iker Casillas respectively, not only being the keepers of their respective countries they were the focus of media attention for their winning celebration(Who can forget the lip lock of Casillas with his journalist girl friend or the bat twist of Dhoni after hitting the winning six. Part of folklore now.) Both are known for their organizational ability as well as being cool under pressure. Expectantly so they went about their business in a composed manner.
• Next comes the comparison of the greatest. Xavi Hernandez v Sachin Tendulkar. Both are prodigious talents who were destined for greatness from their teens. One is billed as arguably the best midfielder for his array of passing, vision and relentless perseverance and hard work. The other the “God” of batting for his silken technique, mastery of strokes as well as reading of the game. This World Cup was seen as “probably” their last attempt at world domination given their age although their powers hardly seems to wane to the delight of the fans that nobody would bet against them playing the next edition and perform there too. Their humility and down to earth character also makes them perfect mentors for the younger players to emulate and follow.
• The next comparison is on the people who manfully hunted the opposition to pulverize them into submission. Zaheer Khan v David Villa.Both of them single handedly masterminded their respective attacks to Victory in the absense of their off colour senior colleague Harbhajan Singh and Torres respectively.
• Next comparison is between the sons of former (failed) national players. Flowering of unquestionable Potential into performance, being in the thick of things every time and giving an all round contribution. Yuvraj Singh v Sergio Busquets. Both of them after captaining their countries to higher honors at the age group level managed to raise a few eyebrows playing among the big boys and making their presence felt. Both are known for invoking the opponent’s wrath as Flintoff-Yuvraj episode in T20 WC07 & Thiago Motta red card in CL09 Semis would show.
• The next comparison takes us to the most consistent performers and orchestrators of the tournament in Gautam Gambhir and Andres Iniesta. Although both of them finished the World Cup with their most telling contribution while playing with a severe pain they were overshadowed by their illustrious team mates.
• The tournament also saw the emergence of two future captains for their respective sides in Virat Kohli and Gerard Pique. That they switched between dropping anchor and going on the attack whenever the team needed both showed excellent composure belying their age. They also seized the important moments with elan and also complement their team mates when needed.
• Last but not the least the comparison of the two so called “lucky” chaps in Suresh Raina and Pedro Rodriguez. That they have won all the major trophies there is to win at the club and country level in such a short span and that they have the knack of making things happen when nobody expects it from them makes the “branding” apt. They also seem to be the favourite of their coaches and also their team mates for their jovial character.