5 factors that have clicked for Team India so far

This World Cup, Team India has surprised even its staunchest supporters with its superlative performances. But what is it that has worked in favour of the Men in Blue? What has so dramatically changed in the span of a month that they have bounced back from being the team that could just make the quarters to one that is thought of as a potential winner?The answer lies in a various factors working simultaneously in favour of the team. Here, we take a look at the five most crucial factors:

#1 Captain Cool does it again

Captain Cool leads the way

MS Dhoni is a genius when it comes to strategy and gameplan. He has shown immense faith in the fast bowlers and they have lived up to it. But more on the quicks later.

You can see that India is coming up with a strategy against every batsman and the players are able to execute it with great success. Be it the incessant short stuff to Hashim Amla or Ashwin bowling flighted slower deliveries and Raina bowling flatter fuller balls in tandem against the attacking Irish batters quite early in the innings, the tactics have worked like a charm.

Dhoni has gone for the attack more often than not in this tournament, something his critics always accuse him of not doing. The aggressive field placements such as including an extra slip or a close-in catcher have boosted the bowlers’ confidence and this has translated into better performances.

Not that he has anything left to prove with the bat, but the two innings he played while chasing have reaffirmed his status as the best finisher in the game.

#2 Dhawans appetite for runs in big tournaments

Scoring runs, with arms wide open.

Some players have a weird connection with ICC events; they seem to shift up a gear in the big tournaments. Shikhar Dhawan had won India the Champions Trophy in 2013 (Man of the Series and most runs scored by a player), and he is en route to doing so in this World Cup as well.

Dhawan looked totally out of sorts in the Tests as well as in the triangular ODI series a few weeks ago. But now that we are done with the group stage, the moustache man already has two centuries and a half century under his belt, with two of those coming in the two most important matches in the campaign.

One might argue that he has thrown it away on ocassion, but in the crunch games he surely values his wicket and understands his role more than he was doing in the traingular series.

#3 Ashwins brilliance

The next Kumble?

Ravichandran Ashwin has been magnificent throughout the tournament. Barring the last match against Zimbabwe (which was played on a well rolled up flat pitch and against an inspired Brendon Taylor), he has had enviable figures.

The way he has used his skill on Australian pitches where there is limited assistance to the spinners is a great lesson to any budding spin bowler. He has varied his trajectory and pace so well that he was the highest wicket taker at the WACA, considered to be a fast bowler’s den.

Ashwin’s speed variations have been superb as well. And that’s not to mention his brilliant supporting act with the bat in the game against the West Indies. Only Danniel Vettori has been better among the spinners.

India will play its semifinal (barring an upset caused by Bangladesh) in Sydney, where spinners get most assistance of all the pitches in Australia. That can only be further good news for Ashwin and the team!

#4 The fielding

India – One of the best fielding units

The Indian fielding unit has improved dramatically over the years. But it seems that they have hit the peak at the right moment. The outfield catching has been magnificent, especially some of the catches held on to by the quick bowlers.

Also how can anyone forget that beauty of a throw by Mohit Sharma to get AB de Villiers run out, which virtually won India the match? Sure, there have been a few dropped catches here and there, but we can safely say that India is up there with the South Africans, the Australians and the New Zealanders in terms of fielding at this World Cup.

#5 The pace attack

Indian Pacers wrecking havoc Down Under

To evryone’s surprise, the Indian pace attack, which was a subject of ridicule a few months back, has won the team most of the matches. The seamers have taken 36 of the 60 wickets that India has taken, with an economy of around 4.5 and a collective average of 20 runs per wicket.

They have been quick, sharp and highly disciplined. Except the match against the Caribbean men, extras have been a rarity. The trio of Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma have been a formidable force this World Cup, taking more wickets than any other trio of pace bowlers. Now that is an Indian pace attack for the fans to be proud of!