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Continuing their stunning run in the 2023 World Cup, India brushed past Pakistan with a massive seven-wicket win in Ahmedabad on Saturday.
On a mostly flat track with a bit of slow and low bounce, Indian bowlers showcased their experience and variety. The whole looked greater than the sum when everything just clicked after Mohammed Siraj bowled Babar Azam for 50 (58). Pakistan lost seven wickets for 36 from thereon and were bowled out for 191.
In reply, India came out with conviction and poise. Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill got off to boundaries and the former went on to top-score in back-to-back games with 85 (63). Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul again boosted confidence in the middle order by seeing the innings through with just under 20 overs to spare.
Here's a brief analysis of five players, three who starred and two who flopped, in the high-octane clash:
Star - Mohammed Siraj
Siraj was under a bit of pressure before this match due to his expensive spell against Afghanistan in Delhi. He also didn't pick a wicket the last time he came up against Pakistan. There was talk about India missing Mohammed Shami too but Siraj didn't let that happen again with a top-notch spell.
The right-arm pacer drew first blood for India by sending back Abdullah Shafique for a plumb lbw before coming back and breaking the key partnership between Babar and Mohammad Rizwan. Even Jasprit Bumrah (more on his spell below) avoided going for wickets in the powerplay but Siraj made sure India stayed ahead.
He was still the costliest bowler in terms of economy rate but his opening spell was much more controlled and suited to the wicket than Delhi.
Flop - Shardul Thakur
It's a bit harsh on him but Shardul Thakur will have to be considered a flop again. Rohit for the second time gave an impression that he doesn't trust him a lot yet. He bowled just two overs, didn't get his lengths right at all, and ended up as the only Indian bowler in the match to not pick up any wickets.
Going forward, India would likely still play him over Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami.
However, the main bowlers will not always get teams to collapse in this fashion and Shardul's contribution would be needed.
Star - Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah shone with the old ball for the umpteenth time today. After being hit for a few boundaries early on, he switched to defensive lengths in the powerplay which somewhat helped Siraj too. But his second spell was simply sensational.
The lead pacer manufactured two wickets by himself. First, he set up Rizwan by bowling length balls outside the off-stump before slipping in one sharp and slow off-cutter that lured the Pakistani to play all around it and see his stumps clattered.
Then, in his next over of the spell, he cleaned up all-rounder Shadab Khan with a delivery that straightened off the surface at pace. The pitch had a bit of grip which always helps Bumrah's bowling but Rizwan was well set and Shadab would find it hard to remember the last time he got out against the old ball like that in an ODI.
Bumrah ended up with a spell of 2/19 in seven overs. 14 of those runs came in his first four-over spell in the powerplay.
# Flop - Virat Kohli
This doesn't happen often, especially against Pakistan. But in a match offering a complete performance from India, Virat Kohli's 16 (18) looks like a slight dark spot.
He didn't do much wrong in his short stay: took his time, creamed three typically majestic boundaries, and rotated the strike. Kohli got out trying to play a pull shot in the 10th over against Hasan Ali. The ball came quicker than he expected and he ended up giving an easy catch to mid-on.
In the form he is in, the ace batter would have loved to get a few more runs and finish the game off with Rohit going berzerk at the other end.
Star - Rohit Sharma
It was his match both as a batter and captain. When Kuldeep Yadav (a special mention for another star of the win) took two wickets in the same over, he brought back Bumrah and killed the game. Rohit's DRS calls were spot-on and field changes were unquestionable too. It was an overall big improvement from the last match.
Batting-wise, the skipper looks at the form of his life. As it so often happens, he was overdoing it a touch initially but settled into a more timing-oriented game after the first couple of overs and just went into cruise mode.
Rohit deserved a ton but winning a second consecutive match for his team with the bat isn't something to complain about.
