It doesn't get any bigger in the world cricket than India playing Pakistan in a world cup game in front of a hundred thousand spectators. The match at Eden Gardens saw India winning the 11th consecutive world cup encounter against arch-rival Pakistan.
Here are five things that worked for India in this match
- Virat Kohli’s cool head: Kohliis knows as a master of chases. But on a pitch like this, Kohli was the only batsman who was in full control. He hasmiddled more than 92% of the balls he faced. The first six of the game came in the 11th over of Indian innings when Kohli smashed Shoaib Malik. But he didn’t try for a single risky shot.
True genius @imVkohli, hard luck for @TheRealPCB although they done well with bat on a turning track @ICC https://t.co/moiof3OTS7
— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) March 19, 2016 - A good partnership: Yuvraj Singh came to the middle when India was struggling at 3/23 in the fifth over. Kohli and Yuvraj buit up a steady partnership, just as they have done in the Asia Cup recently. Singles and twos came regularly and they didn’t allow the bowlers to set in. The partnership was successful in bringing the required run-rate down below six, and maintaining it there.
- Tight bowling: Even though Dhoni didn’t use Yuvraj for bowling nor did he give Aswhin his fourth over, the spinners set the game. Aswhin, Jadeja and Raina spun the ball like anything and confused the batsmen. They have ended their spells with an economy rate of five or below. Hardik Pandya gave away 25 runs in his two overs, but Ashish Nehra and Juspreet Bumrah bowled tight spells.best scene..loving it..#IndvsPak pic.twitter.com/molvUX0zMl — Sumi Mitra (@Pinks08) March 19, 2016
- Pak lacked in spin department: Pakistan included an extra fast bowler - Mohammed Sami - in the team at the expense of a spinner. Even though Sami bowled extremely well - claiming Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in consecutive deliveries - the absence of a quality spinner affected the team. Shoaib Malik was not able to find the same turn as his Indian counterparts and Afridi was way below his best.
- Batsmen were confused: When the ball started turning miles in the very second over, the Pak openers looked baffled. They couldn’t decide on whether to attack or defend. Not a single six was hit in Pakistan innings. 55 runs came in the last five overs of Pak innings which didn’t prove enough to save the match.
In Grop 2, nothing is still predictable. New Zealand is ahead with two games, but Pakistan and India have one win each. Pakistan is ahead of India in the table, thanks to the run rate. Every game is still like a knock-out match for each team, because, a single defeat can cause their chances to progress.
