The Cup that counts is now counting its last eight, the men separated from the boys and the promised land just three straight wins away for each of the remaining contenders.Unlike in the last three world cups where Australia were far too dominating the current cricket demography is evenly distributed. So, if the Indian team, which is a good team in all aspects, but certainly not the best, but just one of the contenders. There are other teams with better balance, better bowling attack and certainly better fielding, however still they are not far away in quality from any of the other teams. 
India’s status as strong favourites has taken as much of a beating as Australia’s belief that they are the same strong force as they have been for several years now. Sri Lanka have displayed a slice of vulnerability even in their bastion while South Africa, clinical for the large part, have some distance to traverse before shedding the distasteful chokers’ label seemingly glued to them.

England are yet to come to grips with the demands of the limited-overs game, as evidenced by defeats to Ireland and Bangladesh, while New Zealand played true to form, securing a place in the knockout stage for the umpteenth time. West Indies continue to search, in vain, for ways and means of putting it past teams ranked higher than them, while Pakistan, that gathering maelstrom that can be both destructive and self-destructive, have established themselves as the side to beat following convincing victories over Sri Lanka and Australia.
Last time when the world cup was played in India media was not this active as it is today. Indians usually don't plan and the short term gain is valued more than long term. So is the media. It happened in Commonwealth games and it is happening now. 
When it works, we build our fantasies based on exaggerated hopes. The bubble inflates, bursts, rebuilds again and the cycle continues. Perhaps a dazzling similarity between US economy and Indian cricket.  Here the Indian media plays the role of US banks. Both run their business by selling hopes to consumer, while banks benefits seizing the properties when reality strikes, media sells despair when hope shatters. In the end life goes on.
 Contrary to expectations, this tournament has not been dominated by the bat to the extent that bowlers have provided just cannon-fodder. There have been huge totals, but the highest team tally continues to be India’s 370 for four and the highest individual score Virender Sehwag’s 175, both amassed in the tournament-opener against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Bowlers have had their moments, with wickets galore including two hat-tricks in as many days from Kemar Roach and Lasith Malinga. The faster bowlers have made a telling impact, mainly with the older ball that, courtesy abrasive surfaces, has facilitated reverse swing. The spinners have had a say as well, almost every team opening the attack with a spinner at some stage or the other
It seems that Sachin will look back to his last world cup as reflection of his career.  An irony of destiny - he performed, crowd cheered, but the team lost. 
All said, though, there is nothing like a formbook that will provide an insight into what can be expected over the next fortnight. In any case, form counts for precious little in a knockout situation, because eventually it’s what happens on that particular day that makes all the difference, but what has been remarkable about World Cup 2011 is that no team has taken the competition by the scruff of the neck.