Why India want Pakistan to win?

India need a miracle to survive

India approach Today's game against the West Indies with a prayer on the lips that Pakistan would somehow prevail over Australia by a big margin in the day's first game in Centurion.

India go into their crucial Champions Trophy match against an under-strength West Indies in Johannesburg on Wednesday (today) requiring little short of a miracle to avoid elimination.

Centurion: Indian cricket team having given a very dismal performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy will be praying that neighbours and arch rivals Pakistan win their match today against Australia.

The only hope for India to stay in the ICC Champion trophy is if Pakistan manage to defeat the Aussies in their game today.

However, this maybe a daunting task as Pakistan skipper plans to rest his key players owing to a much more important impending game in the next few days.
Nevertheless all Indian fans will be praying and supporting Pakistan today just to see their Indian team continue their tour of South Africa for the ICC Champions Trophy. An unusual possibility!

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's team are forced to rely as much on other sides' performances as their own after having earned just one point in two matches in the four-team Group A.

India's slim hopes rest first on a Pakistan victory over formidable Australia in a day match at Centurion on Wednesday and then beating the West Indies in a day-night game in Johannesburg just hours later.

Australia have lost just one of their last nine one-dayers.

Pakistan have already made it to the semi-finals after securing four points from two wins, while defending champions Australia are strongly placed to join them in the last-four with three points from two games.

Even if Australia lose to Pakistan and India beat the West Indies, the second semi-finalist will be decided on net run-rate. Australia (+1.000) are currently well ahead of India (-1.080) on net run-rate.

Dhoni said India would be keeping an eye on the Pakistan-Australia match before deciding the team combination.

They are playing a day game and we are playing a day-nighter. By the time we start our game, we will be knowing where we stand and what we actually need to do. Accordingly, we will decide the playing eleven," said Dhoni.

"This is one of those games where you have to achieve everything. First of all, you want Pakistan to win and Australia to lose. Then you want to win against the West Indies and you have to better your run-rate."

India can blame a below-par bowling performance, especially against Pakistan in the opening match, for their present plight. Their batsmen were always under pressure after the bowlers had conceded 302 runs.

After losing to Pakistan by 54 runs, India shared points with Australia in the second match which was abandoned due to rain at Centurion on Monday, but their bowlers again performed much below expectations.