The Indian Cricket team kick started their World Cup 2015 campaign by a win over their arch-rivals Pakistan by 76 runs at Adelaide. This was India’s sixth victory against Pakistan in World Cup’s. Some major things came into notice when The Men in Blue registered this victory. So, let us take a look at the reasons as to why India’s unbeaten streak against Pakistan continued:
1. Virat Kohli’s brilliance:
India’s vice-captain came into this match with not many runs under his belt in the Carlton Mid-ODI Tri-Series leading up to the World Cup. When Rohit Sharma got out early, the pressure doubled on him because even Shikhar Dhawan was not in best of his form. But Kohli kept his cool and put all his 150 match experience in this innings to bring up his 22nd ODI hundred and hiss 2nd in the World Cup’s. The elegance in his batting was seen again (which we didn’t witness in Tri-Series) and the mindset to stay till the end of the innings was there.
Seeing the way how he played, Dhoni would seriously hope that Kohli continues the same way throughout the tournament.
2. Suresh Raina stepped up when it mattered the most:
India’s number five rose to the occasion when it mattered the most. Criticized for not performing well in overseas conditions, Raina started cautiously against the ‘bouncer’ attack of Mohammad Irfan and Sohail Khan and then excelled at the end to notch up a brilliant half-century and most importantly, added some crucial runs for the team. He scored 74 off just 56 balls with five 4s and three 6s at an impressive strike-rate of 132.14. Who knows, maybe this innings might bring the best out of Suresh Raina as India progress in this World Cup!
3. Under-Pressure Shikhar Dhawan performed:
Opener Shikhar Dhawan was in horrendous touch both in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the tri-Series. He failed to accelerate on his starts and sometimes, he didn’t even get a start. But Dhoni, as he is known to back his a players a lot, did the same with Dhawan and he too didn’t disappoint his captain. When Dhawan came out to bat, he looked intact and just the way as he did in the past, he took his time at the beginning of the innings and later on hit his shots and brought up his half-century. He scored 73 off 76 balls with seven 4s and a six at a good strike-rate of 96.05.
4. Pakistan’s sudden collapse:
From being 102/2 to 154/7, the scoreline says it all. Pakistan looked in complete control till the time Ahmed Shehzad and Misbah-ul-Haq were at the crease. But the Indian spinners stopped the flow the runs from one end with their tight lines that lead to this collapse. Pacer Umesh Yadav then got the wickets of Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood in the same over and Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi then followed which dashed the hopes of Pakistan to win this match.
5. R Ashwin’s resurgence:
Ashwin’s spell proved decisive in India’s victory today. In his 8 overs, he delivered 3 maidens and took an important wicket of Haris Sohail. To bowl 18 deliveries in a high-pressure World Cup match is never easy but, Ashwin soaked the pressure and did the job for his captain. He also became the first Indian spinner since 1979 World Cup to bowl 3 maidens in a World Cup match.
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