A reliable middle order to back the Top 3
Even though the top 3 have been scoring the bulk of the runs, India’s middle order has the firepower to extinguish the game, if the need arises. Needing 17 runs in 6 balls, a terribly out of sorts Yuvraj Singh put all his experience to use, finishing off the game in style during the 3rd T20I against Australia.
Suresh Raina needs no introduction when it comes to T20s in India. One of the most successful players in the Indian Premier League, he averages 34.25 with over 3699 runs to his name at a strike rate of 140 for the Chennai Super Kings.
While turning out for the Men in Blue, Raina consistently ensures a strike rate of 140. Blessed with the ability to finish games under pressure, Raina’s importance can be gauged from the fact that India win ninety percent of their games whenever the left-hander scores in excess of 30.
With the experienced Yuvraj and Dhoni to follow, the Indian middle order has it in them to challenge the opposition in case of an early unexpected failure at the top. Even though Dhoni’s strike rate has fallen to 116 from 143 over the years, his batting heroics in Australia give a fair indication of what the man is capable of.
Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin can prove handy with the bat as well, but the Indians would hope that they are required to bamboozle the oppositions with their bowling exploits rather than taking on the bowlers themselves.
Ashwin and Jadeja- foxing the batsmen with their spin
One need not be a cricket aficionado to know how important Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been to the success of CSK in the IPL, where the pitches and the conditions provide ample support to the spin twins.
The offspinner from Chennai has an impressive economy of over 6 in 97 IPL matches that he has played in. Take into account a strike rate of 22.51, and the numbers tell their own story.
Ashwin’s T20I record stands equally impressive, with 42 wickets in 34 matches, at an average of 21.62 and an economy of just under 7. Ashwin’s variations through the air during the powerplay overs have accounted for 15 wickets, the third best wicket haul for any bowler bowling in the first 6 overs.
His partner in crime Jadeja’s knack of snapping wickets at important junctures with his slow left arm orthodox bowling makes him an asset during the middle overs. With a bowling strike rate of 26 and an economy of just over 7, Jadeja provides the perfect foil to Ashwin’s offspinners.
In the 18 T20I matches that they have played together in, the duo has accounted for 43 wickets and they remain Dhoni’s biggest trump cards going into to World Cup.
A fast bowling pair that inspires hope
India’s death over woes, especially after the disastrous performances in recent times, finally found an answer in Jasprit Bumrah. The right arm medium pacer, with a low arm action, has impressed with his accurate wrist position, especially at the death overs.
Dhoni introduced Bumrah in the end at Ranchi, and the Gujarati did not disappoint, picking up 2 wickets with an economy of under 6. His control over the yorkers, an area where India has perennially struggled in, to an extent, ensures that Mohammad Shami’s possible absence due to injury won’t be a matter of much concern.
He looked at ease in the 6 T20I that he has bowled in, claiming 9 wickets. Bumrah’s death over antics and veteran Ashish Nehra’s ability to strike during the powerplay overs (he has 9 wickets in the 30 powerplay overs bowled by him), instills in the Indian fan a rare sense of confidence in the fast bowling department.
An opportunity for Dhoni to silence his critics
Over the years, Dhoni has been the sole target of a major section of the Indian public, courtesy his diminishing prowess as a finisher in the side or the abysmal results that have been registered under his leadership.
Despite captaining the most successful IPL franchise CSK, Dhoni’s figures in the international arena as a captain portray a different picture altogether; just 3 wins out of the 10 T20I wins since 2011 at home tell their own story.
Add to that the failures at home against England, Pakistan and South Africa, including a shocking series loss to Bangladesh in the 50 over format, and Dhoni’s critics have ample reason to call for his head.
In the batting front as well, one has observed a gradual dip in the heroics from the man from Ranchi, observed most noticeably in the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Pune. When a calm and composed innings was required from Mahi after an early batting collapse, the Indian captain instead took on the bowlers, eventually gifting an easy wicket to the opposition.
However, this is the World Cup that we are talking about. Three ICC tournaments, along with a second place finish, with Dhoni at the helm, reveal their own tale. There is no denying that the world events get the best out of Dhoni, be it his shrewd captaincy or his innovative bowling changes.
Possibly playing his last ICC tournament (but then with Dhoni, you never really know), expect the last hurrah from a man who has experienced all the possible emotions from the Indian fan, in what has been a roller coaster ride.
In all fairness and without any disrespect to any opposition, anticipate India to take the field at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on the night of 3rd April, unless the script goes horribly awry.
This is India’s Cup to be lost. Let them go all out for glory.
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