India pass the Pakistani test

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: Virat Kholi of India celebrates victory in the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Yesterday quite clearly demonstrated what strategy India had to formulate to be victorious in T20s. Mahendra Singh Dhoni finally got it right when he preferred to go with seven batsmen instead of five bowlers: a tactic which paid off big time for his team in yesterday’s Super Eight match against arch-rivals Pakistan. It goes without saying that this is the lineup Dhoni would like to have until the finals, should India go so far.

This is how an “aam aadmi” (a normal fan) would think, appreciating the right combination used by India. But the result, had it gone the other way would see every Indian fan calling for Dhoni’s head for playing one bowler short. Whether the captain would invite ferocity or felicitation, not just from the fans, but cricket experts as well, was dependent on their result against Pakistan.

Should something go according to plan, you are usually treated well. But should something go awry, expect to face the music. Fortunately for Mahi, India won the match, and needless to say he would’ve been mightily relieved at the end of it.

Even otherwise, I am of the opinion India should always go in with seven batsmen and four bowlers in T20 matches, simply because the shortest version of the game is all about the runs you put on the board. It is, basically, a “batsman’s game”. And more importantly, since batting has always been India’s strength, it is prudent to work on enhancing it, rather than try to build on ameliorating something which has never been our cup of tea.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: Virender Sehwag of India bats during the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

During the toss, Dhoni revealed the two changes made in the playing XI. One of them, perhaps, was compulsive. The inclusion of Virender Sehwag, after the team management had faced the ire from cricket fans, following his eviction from the first Super 8 match against Australia. The other one was bringing in Lakshmipathy Balaji in place of Harbhajan Singh: a change which could have gone either way.

Thankfully though, India benefited from the accommodation of the Tamil Nadu bowler, who took three scalps when most needed during the Pakistani innings.

Having tasked with the chasing of a paltry total of 129, the Indian innings began in disastrous fashion. Having struggling since the Australian tour in negotiating deliveries which move away from his off stump, Gautam Gambhir would have heaved a sigh of relief when he was up against a Pakistan spinner. Sensing another four when a tossed ball came his way, he danced down the wicket, trying to hit the ball back over the bowler’s head. The idea was perfectly right as on another day, he would have succeeded in spanking the ball for a one-bounce four.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: Raza Hasan of Pakistan is congratulated by teammates as he takes the wicket of Gautam Gambhir of India during the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

This time, however, he presented Raza Hasan with a simple caught and bowled opportunity and the bowler accepted it gracefully.

As Gautam departed without disturbing the scorers, I was shell-shocked and started imagining the worst for India, as had been seen in a few of their previous World Cup adventures. It was then that one of my friends came to my rescue, saying,

“Gambhir is any way useless. I am sure India will win.”

Such a pleasant remark at the most appropriate time, thanks to him, helped me restore my confidence in India. He was correct, though. Gambhir has been struggling for quite a while now and, that he finds a way of getting out before the innings receive a modicum of stability must be admitted. What we saw against Australia a day before would underline that.

Then came Virat Kohli, who, according to many experts, is the next big thing for India. He is a real trump card on whom India’s faith has been dependant for the last year or so, and he seems to be coping with the pressure quite well at such a young age. So long as he remains at the crease, no game should be considered out of reach for India. He did not kill our expectation either, as he scripted a wonderful run chase, working alongside Virender Sehwag.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: Virat Kholi of India raises his bat after scoring a half century during the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sehwag was never at his imperious best but was able to find the boundary whenever the loose balls were bowled. In fact, it was Virat who started attacking by lifting the spinners over the boundaries and took control of the game rather easily.

Sehwag, as rusty as one would expect him to be, having missed earlier matches, looked quite comfortable playing second fiddle to Kohli. He was guiding him all the way, which gave the youngster a much needed boost. Even the wizardry of Saeed Ajmal was blunted by the aggressive intent of Kohli. The youngster from Delhi was stepping down the wicket whenever the situation demanded and was clearing the ropes quite easily, thereby bringing down the target quickly so that a last minute onslaught was not called for.

A minor blip occurred when India were just 57 runs short of achieving the target, with Sehwag getting caught at the boundary, courtesy a nicely taken Umar Gul catch. But India were out of the woods by then, as they had still eight wickets in hand. When Yuvraj Singh joined Kohli, victory was almost assured for India and the only thing that remained to be seen was how long it would take to reach, considering that the net run rate of both sides would play a big role in deciding the semifinalists.

Yuvraj, who was so brilliant in the field when Pakistan were batting, began to play very eloquently right from the first ball he faced. He played very freely, as Kohli got his fifty in just over run a ball effort at the other end. He began to cut loose once he got to his half century, striking the ball with authority. The uppish cover drive which he hit coming down the wicket of the fast bowler was just the shot which showed how confident he has been with his batting.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: Mohammad Hafeez of Pakistan bats during the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

In the end, India romped home with 19 balls to spare, giving a big lift to the net run rate, which is now almost at par with Pakistan.

Mohammed Hafeez had won the toss for Pakistan and chosen to bat. The toss was a good one to lose, as many of the cricket experts had previously suggested. Zahir Khan’s initial foray was peppered with wides and byes which took the Pakistan score to 13 runs off the first over with no wickets going down. It would require a special delivery to fetch his wicket on a placid track to removed the red-hot Imran Nazir: a delivery similar to the ones aimed at the Sri Lankan batsmen.

Irfan Pathan, bowling left arm over the wicket, beat the batsman with a ball which straightened after pitching , hitting the pads of the batsman, giving him a plump LBW decision.

Pakistan surprised us by pushing Afridi to bat up the order as he went in to bat at Number three, clobbering a shot down the boundary off the first ball he faced. It has been too long since the Pakistani has been at his colossal best and yesterday’s match was no different: Raina’s catch dimissed Boom-Boom Afridi after he had contributed just 13 runs to the Pakistani scoreboard. Thereafter, wickets fell in succession as they were reduced to just over 50 runs with 5 wickets down. Umar Akmal, however, was able to play a watchful innings which helped them reach more than 100 runs with no further loss of wickets.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA – SEPTEMBER 30: L Balaji of India celebrates the wicket of Shahid Afridi of Pakistan with teammate and captain M S Dhoni during the ICC T20 World Cup, Super Eight group 2 cricket match between Pakistan and India held at R. Premadasa Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

But this was World Cup and the pressure was extreme.

The Indian fielders were right on their toes. There were no lacklustre misses on the field and they looked completely unscathed throughout. Yuvraj Singh gave a super human effort on the turf and the throw he directed at the stumps, which turned out to be a direct hit, was simply outstanding.

Balaji, on his part, was mixing deliveries well and he castled the in-form Umar Gul, one of the slayers of South Africa by bowling a full-toss which ballooned in the air, only to fall snugly into the gloves of MSD. The last two wickets went without any additions to the to the score.

Pakistan could only muster a measly 128, which was not in any way a competitive score with the sort of batting line up possessed by India.

The group looks evenly balanced now, with every team having a chance to make it to the semifinals of the World Cup. Australia’s run rate, however looks to have guaranteed them a place in the semis. However, anything can happen in cricket and it is too early to predict the outcome now.

The next two matches lined up in this group are Pakistan vs Australia and India vs South Africa.

Australia are rocking, and they certainly not pushovers. With the middle order not getting tested at all, they will start as favourites to win against India’s neighbours. India would hope that Pakistan lose badly against Australia, which means that all they have to do is end up winning a match against South Africa, who are not in great form.

A turbulent Tuesday is on the cards.