Indian team threatens to turn 21 in one day

In a strange case of the phenomenon so far not known as 'Group Birthday Blues' (GBB), the whole Indian cricket team threatened to slump into 21 year old habits in 30 agonising minutes. (Unproven medical evidence says it might have something to do with the newly-morphed MBE 21 virus.)

In a match against England in the Champions Trophy, set a paltry target of 125 to get in 50 very long overs, a seemingly mature team of seasoned warriors ended up playing infantile shot after infantile shot and struggled their way to a win in 50 very, very, very long overs.

For a while it looked like the whole Indian team was about to be hit by the infamous MBE Chappell 21 virus. Fortunately, they stopped short of regressing that far down and ended up regaining their senses and maturity somewhere closer to 23. We shall wait and watch how far the descent continues.

England, on the other hand, conclusively proved that when it comes to the one-day game, they continue to be babes in the wood susceptible to all kinds of mysterious ailments. Descending desperately into the depths of sickly non-performance, they seemed to intent on a trip to the land Down Under.

When the Indian Captain Rahul Dravid was asked for a comment, he replied, "Thank God, England were hit by the inverse of the MBE 21 today and ended up playing like 12 year olds. Every once in while the process of playing must factor in the process of turning 21." And so saying he clutched his backseat driver and went back into 1st gear.

The player formerly struck by the MBE 21 virus, Irfan Pathan, was seen celebrating his 22nd birthday and hoping his next birthday will not be his 21st. Meanwhile, Munaf Patel, 23, was stocking up on pills to counter any onset of MBE 21.