My predictions seem to be coming true. When I said if any team has to challenge Australia in the final it has to be Sri Lanka I didn’t say that because I wanted one of the Asian teams to bring back the Cup. It was because of the way they have been playing as a team, as one single unit with a tremendous will to do their small country proud. They don’t seem to believe in individual achievement only, quite like the Aussies.

Why did Sri Lanka reach the final when teams like India and Pakistan were thrown out early? England, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand were also out. There has to be some similarity between the two finalists, apart from the sheer grit and determination to win.

To start with, both teams seem to believe in their abilities. Sri Lanka have Jayasuriya, slightly older than Hayden, but when either gets going, he is difficult to stop. Hayden is going great guns at the moment, but one just cannot predict when Jayasuriya will strike.

However, the Lankans don’t rely only on one great individual. That’s also the typical Aussie way. If Jayasuriya doesn’t score it’s Jayawardene or Sangakkara or Upul Tharanga. They are as acrobatic and athletic as the Australians and younger too. And they know the importance of guarding their wickets at death.

In fact, the Lankans have a better attack — all purpose, for any wicket. For swing, seam, swerve or reverse, they have Chaminda Vaas, ably supported by the round-arm newcomer Malinga. Aussies have the accurate, immaculate and most nagging veteran McGrath. Even at 37 he is going strong, in tandem with Shaun Tait.

In spin, the Sri Lankans score way above the Aussies who have Hogg and Symonds. Hogg can be a real enigma for the Black Caps or the Poms or the Proteas, because they play on the pitch of the ball but never bother to watch the wrist or the fingers. To Asians, he should not pose a big threat. Sri Lanka, since the 1996 World Cup, are always known for the greatest wizard in Muttiah Muralitharan. His 10 overs are going to be most crucial.

The wicket may look outwardly glossy with the bounce, but that is more cosmetic than natural and sometime during the course of the day it is going to yield to spin. The toss, therefore, can be an important factor in the result.

However, the law of averages may also take its toll on the best of teams. Too much of confidence can also mar prospects. Otherwise, who can deny that these Aussies are the best in the world as of now.

Back home, the hunt is on once again. Quite like that for Red October, a Russian nuclear submarine in the Tom Clancy novel. Board secretary Niranjan Shah and others are in the West Indies, for an official function, but perhaps on the sidelines they would be interested in trying to persuade a foreign coach to come to India. There is plenty to choose from: Dav Whatmore, Tom Moody, John Wright (again), John Buchanan, Bennett King, Duncan Fletcher.

If that be the case, why not have Greg Chappell back? He has been offered the consultancy for the National Cricket Academy. The BCCI must have him back before he comes out with a book on Indian cricket and its wrongs, quite like what John Wright did, or before he sells rights to any television channel.

For a long time the general impression worldwide was that India was a developing country, highly populous, high illiteracy rate and impoverishment. India’s GDP just touched a trillion dollars for a time, but that is now. However, nobody ever said India was poor in cricket.

India has created legends aplenty — Vinoo Mankad, Vijay Hazare, Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and now Sachin Tendulkar still going strong. India may not have been as consistent as Australia in winning, but we certainly have enough talent is left to coach our own Indian team. There are greats like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Aunshuman Gaekwad or Sandeep Patil, who are not only willing to help, but are also well versed with the Indian culture, psyche, behaviour pattern and the delicate constitution that houses the great talents.

Also, why do we have the same committee, if I’m not wrong, chosen again to decide a coach for the Indian team? That is the body that chose Greg Chappell unanimously two years ago.