India have hit a resounding six of six consecutive
wins in the ICC World Cup-2015 beating Zimbabwe by 6 wickets in their last
league match in Auckland today. However, the margin of India’s victory was not
as comfortable as it looks. Chasing a very competitive total of 287 set by
Zimbabwe India were under intense pressure at 92 for the loss of 4 top order
batsmen in the 23rd over. Thanks to a rollicking unbeaten partnership
of 196 runs between Suresh Raina and skipper MS Dhoni victory was finally made
easy with 8 balls to spare. Man of the Match Raina raced to a brilliant
hundred, his first century in World Cups, making 110 not out off 104 balls with
9 fours and 4 sixes. Raina was helped by a simple dropped catch before he made
his half century and was initially living dangerously giving somewhat catching
practice to the Zimbabwe fielders. Dhoni gave him solid company making a professional
85 runs not out off 76 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes—the winning shot being a six from
him.
Armed with only a solitary win Zimbabwe almost stopped
Team India’s wining spree. After putting Zimbabwe under a lot of pressure at
126 for 4, Indian bowlers seemed to have let off the opposition allowing them
to a free flowing run bonanza with the spinners proving totally ineffective. As
you know old habits die hard it seemed like a page out of the past. However,
unlike the past behavior of Team India Zimbabwe were not allowed to cross the
300 mark and instead the last three wickets were captured for just 2 runs. So, in the six matches thus far India had the opposition all out every time—a feat only achieved by
South Africa earlier.
The syndrome of ‘old habits die hard’ does not end
there though. As all of us are aware in all major cricket tournaments Team
India start experimenting with reserve players once assured of a berth in the
next round or in semifinal or finals and in the process losing matches. I was
shocked to find celebrated cricket experts and journalists ‘discussing’ the ‘need
to rest key players’ in TV channels and newspaper columns. WHY FOR GOD’S SAKE? Don’t
anybody realize that this is the World Cup, that the team is winning with the
combinations working in the best way possible and that how disastrous it would
be for the team to lose a match at this stage and thus inspiring the rival
teams in the knockout stage. Good, Dhoni did not fall for it. But still, it
seemed like there was some plan. Because of these points—Indian top order
batsmen needed some practice in defensive techniques (else why Shikhar Dhawan
and Rahane were playing so slowly and in sharp contrast charging down the pitch
for non-existent singles); Suresh Raina was not getting enough opportunity to
get runs and so needed to be in the middle for some time; lower order of the
Indian batting including Dhoni needed more exposure and the Indian tail needed
to be tailored to wag enough in the knockout stage. Well, if there was indeed such a plan it
was bizarre, risky and negative. The good thing is that most of India’s needs
were fulfilled finally in this game! They chased down the highest ever World
Cup total despite the fits and starts. And it gave the right kind of message to
a resurgent Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe captain Brendon Taylor bid adieu to his
team with an explosive century (138 off 110 balls with 15 fours and 5 sixes) as
he will be joining an English county team for three years and would probably
keep himself open for selection in the England team. Virtually in his last innings
for Zimbabwe Taylor provided the momentum for a total in excess of 300, but an
injury-affected team could not capitalize fully on it.
The line-up in Pool—A is final—1.New Zealand,
2.Australia, 3.Sri Lanka and 4.Bangladesh and knockout games start from 18th
March. From Pool-B top team India is set to meet Bangladesh in the quarterfinal
scheduled on 19th March in Melbourne. Sunday’s (tomorrow, 15/3/15) crucial
matches of Pakistan Vs Ireland and West Indies Vs UAE will decide who will meet
New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka. If Pakistan win they will move to either
second or third position depending on net run-rate with South Africa. The net
run-rate will also decide whether loser Ireland or West Indies winning against
UAE will finally occupy the fourth position. Stay tuned!
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