2017 ICC Champions Trophy – Openers, Yuvraj, Kohli Smash Fifties As India Post 319-3

Nov 2, 2023 at 3:48 PM

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2017 ICC Champions Trophy – Openers, Yuvraj, Kohli Smash Fifties As India Post 319-3

A stable batting show from openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan combined with the calculated approach of Virat Kohli and a late blitz from Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya propelled India to a satisfying total of 319 /3 at the end of the first innings in the tournament opener against arch rivals Pakistan.

Imminent rains continuously threatened to dampen the electric atmosphere at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. Twice the much-awaited marquee clash had to be halted.

The first interruption came in the 10th overs and caused 25 minutes loss. Fortunately, there were no overs lost. The showers again arrived in the 34th over, causing another loss of 25 runs. This time the rains had its effect, as an over had to be deducted making it 48 overs a side game.

The number of overs lost was not great news but the Indians surely had a tough time maintaining their rhythm, especially Rohit Sharma who was on the field on both the occasions rains made an appearance.

Sarfraz Ahmed made a rather surprising decision of bowling first during the toss time. Maybe the unpredictable weather and their recent chase against Bangladesh in the practice coaxed him into thinking ‘bowl first’ was perhaps the most suitable decision in the high-pressure game.

The pitch was not admirable from the bowler’s point of view once again. Barring the wonderful opening over from Mohammad Amir, the Pakistani bowlers did not have much to appreciate.

Sharma, who took the strike in the first over, in particular, faced a challenging one from Amir which set the tone for the match. But, both Rohit and Shikhar were unbothered and slowly set the ball rolling to give a calm start to the innings, dominating the first half of the innings.

The end result of their patience filled partnership saw then add 136 runs for between them to cast aside Pakistan for 24.3 overs. Virat Kohli then had a stable platform to operate when he arrived following the dismissal of Dhawan.

Kohli and Sharma put together anther 56 for the 2nd wicket to take the Indian innings forward at a healthy rate despite trouble due to rains before the stand came to an end in the 37th over. Rohit Sharma missed a well-deserved century after he fell victim to Babar Azam’s fielding effort off Shadab Khan’s bowling.

The unexpected fall of Sharma’s wicket did no hamper the momentum at all, as Kohli and Yuvraj then came together to give the final thrust to the innings. The stay at the crease saw 93 runs from just 9.4 overs giving India a boost in the run rate.

The eventual work of reaping the most of the final deliveries was fulfilled by Hardik Pandya. The all-rounder smashed 19 runs off the first five balls in the final over, including a hat-trick of sixes, before Kohli brought a grand end to the Indian innings with a boundary.

The scoreboard pressure and the D/L method will now bother Pakistan greatly.

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