By Rohit Bhandiye
The 2007 World Cup might herald a new era for cricket in terms of commercialisation and globalisation, but it would also mean the last World Cup for several stalwarts of the game like India's Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble, West Indian Brain Lara, Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya and Pakistani Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Standing tall among the golden oldies is Sachin Tendulkar who has been the face of Indian cricket for nearly two decades now.
The boy wonder from Mumbai was truly a product of one-day cricket whose exploits with the willow have coincided with the rise of India both as a cricket and economic power.
Compared to Sir Donald Bradman by none other than the Don himself, Tendulkar is cricket's most prolific run scorer - with 10,668 from 135 Tests and 14,783 from 381 ODIs.
The world record holder for most Test centuries (35), India's premier batsman has stamped his class in cricket's showpiece event. In 33 matches from four World Cup appearances, Tendulkar has amassed 1732 runs at 59.72 with four hundreds.
At 33, Tendulkar might be younger than some of his contemporaries, but wear and tear from playing at the highest level for 17 years means his body has been a specimen for the anatomy student.
He would be keen to celebrate his 34th birthday in the Caribbean as it coincides with the first semi-final on April 24.
Sourav Ganguly might not have struck terror in bowlers' hearts like his more illustrious teammate, but the Prince of Kolkata has the gift of timing that others could only envy. And 10,470 runs from 286 one-dayers speak for themselves.
But the 'God on the Off-side' will be remembered less for his run-making ability than captaining India to the World Cup final in 2003.
Taking over the reins from Tendulkar in the most troubled times in Indian cricket, 34-year-old Ganguly led the side through its most successful phase in modern history.
Besides the 21 Test victories, making him the most successful Indian captain, Ganguly has led the side to 76 ODI wins, the most memorable being the NatWest Trophy tri-series win at Lord's in 2002.
Whether the former skipper, who fought his way back into the side after a 15-month lay-off, can inspire India to its second ever World Cup success remains to be seen.
Another giant who in all probability will be playing in his last limited overs tournament is Anil Kumble .
The 36-year old leg-spinner has gone from being the venomous top-spinner on under-prepared home tracks to the most durable all-weather bowler for India.
After three World Cups and rising to be India's highest wicket-taker in both forms of the game, 547 in Tests and 334 in one-dayers, Kumble still faces questions - over his fielding ability.
Besides the Indian trio, other players in the twilight of their careers include the host captain Brian Lara .
The 37-year old West Indian genius' penchant for big knocks has seen him twice break the world record for highest individual Test score and breach the 400 mark.
Having amassed 11,953 runs in Tests and 10,136 in one-dayers, Lara would be keen that he can complete the West Indian resurgence by leading to them to their third World Cup triumph in his third stint as captain.
Sri Lankan opening batsman Sanath Teran Jayasuriya , 37, is another player who would leave an indelible mark when he hangs his boots.
The Matara Marauder, who redefined one-day batting with his smashing success in the 1996 World Cup, has lost none of his ferocious willow power and the slow Caribbean wickets could very well be the perfect setting for him to unleash his pyrotechnics.
'Sleeping Giant' Inzamam-ul-Haq remains as ever a nightmare for bowlers as he did 15 years ago when he piloted Pakistan to their maiden World Cup triumph.
Inzamam, who turns 37 on Saturday, is Pakistan's leading run-scorer (8,813) and also holds the record for the highest individual score (329) and most centuries (25). With 11,665 runs, he is not far behind Tendulkar in the one-day arena.
Source : http://www.cricketworldcuplatest.com
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