T20 World Cup, India vs Pakistan: 3 players who starred and 2 who flopped

The T20 World Cup opener between India and Pakistan proved to be an absolute run-fest for the latter. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan ran amok to hand India a crushing defeat.

Pakistan won by ten wickets, a whopping margin. Earlier, it was not the ideal start for India as Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed the top three. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were his scalps in the first spell. Fighting knocks by Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were in vain as Pakistan's openers took India's bowling by the scruff of their collars.

With the match now done, we take a look at three of India's players who did well and three who flopped.

---

Players who starred in India's win in the T20 World Cup

#1 Virat Kohli | 57 runs off 49 balls

Much of the chatter ahead of the T20 World Cup opener was on Virat Kohli and his last three performances against Pakistan in the previous T20 World Cups.

He didn't disappoint despite the sedate start and dodgy form he was in entering the tournament. His 57 off 49 was vital in India, finishing with 151 for seven in their 20 overs. The hope for India would be that he will continue this streak of form for India over the course of the tournament.

---

#2 Rishabh Pant | 39 off 30 balls

It might have been a rather uncharacteristic innings from Rishabh Pant, but there were semblances of his usual attacking self. He powered two sixes and stitched a valuable 53-run stand with Kohli for the fourth wicket. This partnership helped India recover after the openers and Suryakumar Yadav were sent back in early.

Pant's knock comprised of two fours and as many sixes before he holed out to Shadab Khan.

---

#3 Jasprit Bumrah | 3/22 in his four overs

In what was a lackluster bowling attack, Bumrah ended up as the most economical bowler with an ER of 7.33. However, he will be under scrutiny along with the rest of India's bowling attack as he went wicketless.

It could be labeled an aberration. But India now face an uphill task in their T20 World Cup campaign, as they take on a formidable Kiwi unit. They will hope to win their scrimmage against New Zealand and Afghanistan to stay alive and progress further in the tournament.

2 Players who flopped for India in the T20 World Cup opener

---

#1 India opener Rohit Sharma dismissed for a golden duck

It would be premature to dismiss the premium opener for India based on just one outing. But it was a day when India would have benefited from some runs from his blade. But it was not to be as Shaheen Shah Afridi's spot-on fuller length delivery castled the Indian vice-captain in his very first ball.

The early wickets of Sharma, Rahul and Yadav dented India. The onus fell on Kohli and a largely wonky lower order to notch up a sizeable total to defend.

---

#2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar's inconsistency continues

The pacer clocked just 120 kph and the dew just made it easier for Pakistan as they raced away 10 runs in the opening over. His second over yielded eight runs as Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam consolidated. They eventually brought a staggering stand for the opening wicket as India continued to hunt for that elusive wicket.

In all honesty, it wasn't just Kumar who had an off day as India's pace trio failed to make inroads. Their defensive approach cost them as Pakistan's openers made merry of the attack.

Mohammed Shami was equally ineffective with the ball and so were the tweakers. Although Ravindra Jadeja and Varun Chakravarthy bowled a tight couple of overs, it was not enough for India to walk away with a win.