The bullring awaits a spectacle

Two vibrant teams, one highly skilled and equally efficient, will take on the other who are a team without superstars - yet supremely confident and are bullish in their attitude. You could easily mistake this to be a clash of the Trans-Tasman rivals: Australia with their all-conquering efficiency vs. New Zealand with their pit-bull like attitude. It is a fascinating rivalry that causes life to come to a standstill in both nations when their teams battle, one where victory leads to jubilation and defeat causes mourning. The Twenty-20 World Cup has in front of it, the best possible final any one could have hoped for: India Vs Pakistan.

The twenty-20 format was completely new to India, a tournament where the likes of Sehwag, Pathan and Harbhajan could hope for a good showing to win their places back, where India could contemplate the harshness of life without the trio. Pakistan had their own problems to contend with: Akhtar was at it again, this time a physical fight within the team. A foreign coach's first assignment. A new captain. Both teams have done, exceedingly well to shed all the baggage behind them and have played some brilliant cricket, which includes the both of them defeating the mighty Australians.

When India's twenty-20 squad was named, after the trio had pulled out, it seemed like Dhoni had got the job by default. Virender Sehwag was just making a comeback. Yuvraj Singh had an amazing year followed by an average one. Dhoni was supposed to be levelheaded, calm and one to lead by example. He has done just that, and more! India have seldom played such fun-filled limited overs cricket. Even under pressure, they refused to crack, always having someone to rise to the occasion. England were supposed to be a tough cookie, just having defeated India 4-3, far more twenty-20 experience than India and a supposedly better all round team. India's batting might came to its fore and England ended yet another world cup campaign with their team in disarray. South Africa were supposed to be the second best team in the tournament, and India's obituaries were being written, "good attempt to reach the super 8, have beaten Pakistan, can go home satisfied..". India recovered from a precarious batting situation, posting a competitive score and backed up their bowlers with the kind of fielding that would have made Rhodes and Gibbs proud. South Africa were choked into submission and were evicted from their own party.

India were now confident, and ready to take on Australia. Australia had already shown signs of weakness, losing to Zimbabwe and Pakistan (Comprehensive defeats). Yuvraj Singh played an innings of such brilliance, walking in at 48/2 in 9 overs, that it could be compared with some of the great limited over innings in world tournaments: Aravinda's 1996 knock vs. India in the semi-finals, Ricky Ponting's 2003 knock vs. India in the Jo'burg finals and Tendulkar's 98 vs. Pakistan at the Centurion. Yuvraj Singh raised his game several notches and India posted a very competitive score. Despite the loss of Gilchrist and Hodge, Hayden and Symonds tried to bully India into submission. It worked for a while, but just when things seemed to be slipping away, Sreesanth rattled Hayden's stumps and Symonds fell to Pathan. 40 from 4 overs would have been considered a cakewalk for Australia, but India were not going to budge. Harbhajan and RP Singh bowled amazing overs, ensuring India a place in the finals.

When Pakistan combine their undoubted flair with efficiency they are the most dangerous team in the world, and they've done just that. They trampled on Australia, blew the Kiwis away and outplayed the in-form Lankans. However, the bowl out defeat to India will be at the back of their minds come tomorrow. India's record of not having lost to them in World cups will be something they would like to set right. The bullring at Jo'burg will come alive tomorrow. The skilled matador will take on a powerful bull. Only one can survive.