Cricket matches are won in the Mind !

Imran supported Dhoni's statement that warm up matches are actually unnecessary, as the Indian team is already fatigued.

Dhoni said that the Indian team was not motivated enough, when that side could only score 214. Extolled as a formidable batting line up, some batsmen were all at sea against the Aussie fast bowlers !

Imran said that the statement about fatigue is not true. When you come to know that this is the Cup, all fatigue walks away. Cricket is 50% physical and 50% mental. The whole world is watching you, your countrymen are scrutinising you. ( Dhoni later on clarified that he did not mention fatigue. All he said was that there was too much cricket and warm up matches were not the need of the hour ).

All wars are won in the Mind ! Sport is surrogate war, said Orwell. War is a biological necessity, an outlet for the human desire to compete and excel.

Determination, sang-froid, Will Power - all these are necessary qualities for a team to win. The mentally tough triumph ultimately.

Steve Waugh's determination was responsible for Australia lifting the Cup in 1999. From a miserable position, Steve Waugh catapulted Aussies to dizzying heights. When Gibbsy dropped him, he is reported to have said "You have just dropped the World Cup, my son" ! Not only did Waugh score a century in that match, but went on to claim the cup. Kapil's Dev determination in 1983 was legendary. Kapil knew that on such a track, 183 was a fighting total. The breakthrough came when Sandhu clean bowled Greenidge with a superb off cutter. Clive Lloyd was on injured on the right foot and Kapil Dev told Madan Lal to make him play from the front foot! The ploy worked as Lloyd was out, at 66/5 ! The match was almost over !