India have started their ODI World Cup defense with a mostly convincing victory over Pakistan. For a large number of Indian fans, it doesn't matter what India end up achieving in the competition after this. For someone who has watched all six World Cup matches against Pakistan, here are a few thoughts on the match followed by points for the Indian team.
Pakistan's weakest bowling attack in a World Cup?
Pakistan have traditionally boasted high quality bowling attacks with names such as Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mustaq Ahmed ... the list goes on. Although they did really well to come back towards the end of the innings, the bowling attack did not inspire a great amount of fear. Although Yasir Shah bowled relatively well, Pakistan were really affected by Saeed Ajmal's absence as India managed to score at 6 runs an over in the middle overs without taking any undue risks. In general, both teams had a bunch of newcomers. India were without Sachin, Yuvraj, Harbhajan and Zaheer - all veterans of India-Pakistan clashes over the years and there was a distinct lack of personalities on both sides, which made it a distinctly mellower affair than years gone by.
India do to Pakistan what other teams have been doing to India for years
You wouldn't associate the Indian team with hostile fast bowling, neither would you associate Dhoni with attacking captaincy in seamer-friendly conditions. Both of these stereotypes were shattered as Shami and Umesh Yadav ran in and bowled fast and aggressive spells. While Yadav was wayward and did not inspire confidence despite getting a couple of important wickets in the middle overs, Shami was outstanding. The most pleasing wicket for an Indian fan was that of Younis Khan, who has been a thorn in India's side over the years on unresponsive pitches in Asia. He looked all of his 37 years trying to get out of the way of a sharp Shami bouncer, only managing to glove it awkwardly to Dhoni. There were a few other bouncers that the Indian seamers let fly and Shami and Yadav bowled consistently in the 140's. More of the same, please!
Player ratings out of 10 (0-10; 10=best)
Rohit Sharma (5) - After starting off relatively well, Rohit played a terrible shot to get out. He's been the man in form for India so far and fans expected him to take responsibility, but he has the tendency to play reckless shots in the first 10 overs. It looks great when it comes off, but Rohit really needs to try and play percentage cricket and give himself the best chance of batting the full 50 overs.
Shikhar Dhawan (8) - One of the most pleasing aspects of India's win was that Dhawan looked fluent from the off and hit some pleasing drives and pulls en route to a fluent half century that was also part of a very important partnership with Kohli. He got run out after a mix up with Kohli and while it was Kohli's hesitation that led to the run out, a slight nit pick would be that had Dhawan switched the bat over to his right hand before turning around and putting in the dive, it may have just saved him. World Cups get decided on little things like these.
Virat Kohli (9) - Something about the big stage brings out the best in Kohli. Started the 2011 World Cup with a century against Bangladesh and kicked off this version with another. The best feature of his batting was the risk free way in which he was able to bat in the middle overs. Also took a fantastic catch to get rid of Shahid Afridi during a time when a few blows may have started to cause some flutters in the Indian camp. Got out at a tired shot and triggered a collapse that saw India lose 5 wickets for 20-something runs in the last 5 overs.
Suresh Raina (9.5) - Almost a perfect performance from a player who was under some pressure before the match began. Accelerated beautifully during the later half of India's innings and was electric in the field. Picked up a couple of crucial catches at first slip. Raina needs to do well if India are to go far in this World Cup. Man of the Match for me.
MS Dhoni (6) - Appeared scratchy while batting and could not give the innings the boost it needed. Apart from one sweetly struck six off Sohail, he seemed to struggle for timing and looked to hit the ball too hard. He may need to come up the order against one of the minnows to give himself some time in the middle. On the field, his wicketkeeping was sound and his captaincy was aggressive and un-Dhoni like.
Ravindra Jadeja (5) - Looks extremely unconvincing as a lower order hitter. He was all at sea against Wahab's pace and nearly got himself run out a couple of times before getting cleaned up. He was steady with the ball without looking particularly threatening and managed to hold on to an important catch at point.
Ajinkya Rahane (4) - He came in to bat in a thankless situation and the grade is a bit harsh, but such is life. Opened his WC campaign with a golden duck but was part of a good all-round ground fielding display.
R Ashwin (8) - Dhoni threw the ball to him when the partnership between Shahzad and Haris was starting to look dangerous and he looked the most likely to take a wicket. Bowled three maidens in his 8 overs and took out Haris at just the right time for India. Tried a bit too much against Misbah and ended up getting pinged around.
Mohammed Shami (9) - Started off with fantastic control and came back well in his later spells. His wicket of Younis was crucial and he ended up getting the wickets of Misbah and Afridi as well. India need him to bowl with this kind of intensity throughout the tournament.
Umesh Yadav (5.5) - A highly inconsistent bowling performance. Although he bowled with good pace and bounce, a leg side gift was never too far away. He may be better off used in short, sharp spells the like of which got him the wickets of Shahzad and Shoaib Maqsood. Because he is naturally capable of generating good pace, he should focus on bowling in the middle overs and not try anything too clever.
Mohit Sharma (8) - He came on as first change and managed to keep things tight after Yadav sprayed it around. He was able to hold his own against the big hitters in the Pakistani line up and bowled good lengths and excellent slower deliveries. He needs to put in more honest spells like these through the course of India's campaign.
Do you agree with the ratings? Do you have any thoughts on the match in general? Please let me know in the comments.
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