World Cup 2019: 4 Factors that helped India make it 7-0 against Pakistan at World Cups 

The most anticipated clash of the World Cup, India vs Pakistan, took place at Old Trafford in Manchester, amidst highly uncertain climatic conditions. The clash between the two sides, coming with a rich sporting history and a tinge of socio-cultural flavor to it was hugely anticipated. India has been better at handling this pressure, and history repeated itself in Manchester, as India handed another crushing defeat to Pakistan in the marquee event, winning the match by 89 runs in a rain-curtailed encounter.

India were invited to bat first by Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed on winning the toss. However, this turned out to be a blunder as India piled up a mammoth score of 336/5 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma played yet another gem of a knock, as he scored another big hundred - 140 off just 113 balls. Supporting knocks by Virat Kohli and KL Rahul ensured that India recorded its highest World Cup total against the archrivals. The bowlers, in turn, executed the plans to perfection, as Kuldeep Yadav, Vijay Shankar and Hardik Pandya took 2-wickets apiece.

Here are the major factors that enabled Team India to outclass Pakistan for the seventh time in the World Cup:

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#1 The Surprise Package of All-Rounders

Shankar and Pandya picked 2 wickets apiece

Team India boasts of four all-rounders in the squad, namely Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Kedar Jadhav and Ravindra Jadeja, who provide great stability to the side. On the given day, it was Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar who were at the helm of things for the two-time World Champions.

India carried the momentum of a high total in their bowling, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah gave a controlled start to the innings. However, a hamstring injury to Bhuvi in his third over came as a rude shock to the team. It was then that captain Kohli fell back on the balance of the team, handing over the ball to Vijay Shankar. The latter vindicated his captain's trust, as he became the first Indian to pick up a wicket on the first ball in a World Cup, trapping Imam ul-Haq.

He kept hitting the right areas and kept the pressure mounting on the Pakistani batsmen with his economical bowling. Shankar further justified his credentials as an all-rounder, as he cleaned up Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in his second spell.

Indian plans were also helped greatly by their premium all-rounder Hardik Pandya. After chipping in with a useful cameo of 26 runs, the 25-year old derailed the chase of the Men in Green, as he sent back their two most experienced players, Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik in consecutive deliveries.

The way in which Shankar and Pandya, who are not known much for their bowling, rose up to the occasion, and stepped into the shoes of the premier pacer speaks volumes of their skill sets.

#3 Steady Fifties by KL Rahul and Virat Kohli

The Men in Blue's batting performance majorly revolved around Rohit's exploits with the willow, however, Rahul and Kohli's knock came at a crucial time for the team, as they ensured that India breached the 300-run mark in the second consecutive game.

Being promoted to the top of the order due to the injury of Shikhar Dhawan, Rahul proved why he is rated so highly in world cricket. The 26-year old showed great versatility and flexibility at the top of the order, complementing Rohit well with his steady approach. Rahul held one end with solidity, allowing the Indian vice-captain to play his shots. He also dispatched the poor deliveries for boundaries, as he scored his first World Cup half-century.

Virat Kohli walked in to bat post-Rahul's dismissal and maintained the tempo of the innings. Being watchful in the beginning, Kohli unleashed himself towards the end, as he maintained rock solid on one end despite the falling wickets. The milestone-man etched another landmark to his name, as he became the fastest to score 11,000 ODI runs, doing so in just 222 innings. Kohli's knock of 77 came off just 65 balls, which included 7 boundaries.

#2 The Golden Arm of Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav tore through the top order of Pakistan

Pakistan lost their first wicket early in pursuit of a mammoth 337-run target. However, opener Fakhar Zaman and their batting mainstay Babar Azam played out some crucial overs and got well set on the crease. They stitched a 104-run partnership and were looking menacing.

The two had unleashed themselves on the in-form Yuzvendra Chahal and Hardik Pandya. It was then that Kuldeep Yadav, who had spun a web of spin around the two batsmen, used the pressure to trap the two. The chinaman bowler then sent back Babar with an absolute ripper, beating him with the drift of the ball. He also succeeded in picking the wicket of Fakhar Zaman, getting him caught off Chahal on a mistimed sweep.

There were concerns being raised over Kuldeep's underwhelming form in the World Cup so far, with many in favor of the left-arm spinner being dropped in favor of Mohammad Shami. However, the way in which Kuldeep tore through the top order in a pressure situation was praiseworthy, as it swung the fortunes of the game heavily in India's favor.

#1 Rohit Sharma's Manchester Masterclass

Rohit Sharma is the highest individual scorer in India vs Pakistan World Cup matches

Piling runs on the board is a conventional formula for success in big games. And to achieve that, it is essential for one of the top order batsmen to score a big hundred. For the umpteenth time, it was Rohit Sharma who took this responsibility in his shoulders, as he exhibited his class and elegance against a capable Pakistani pace attack.

Rohit negotiated the balls of nemesis Mohammad Amir and played his strokes against all the other bowlers. He was particularly aggressive against Hassan Ali. Hitman ensured a constant flow of runs and mounting pressure on the bowlers, as he did not allow any bowler to settle in.

The Indian vice-captain scored his third consecutive 50+ score of the tournament in as many games, and converted it into a giant hundred, switching gears after breaching the three-figure mark. He became the highest individual scorer in India vs Pakistan World Cup matches.

The elegant boundaries, the pristine sixes and the authority stamped by Rohit was a delight to watch. The 32-year old smashed his second century of the tournament and is currently on the second spot in the top run-getters list.