Asia Cup India v Pakistan 18th March 2012
Last seen playing in the semi-finals of the CWC 2011. This was the first time the two teams were meeting in over a year. India vs Pakistan has always invoked the strongest of sentiments in fans across both nations, be it showering a win with bouquets or with brickbats on a loss India v Pakistan has all the ingredients expected out of a typical Bollywood pot boiler.
So far in this Asia Cup Pakistan looked as the complete team. Good batting, capable bowlers and a effective fielding saw them thrash SL with a bonus point and cruise to a comfortable win against Bangladesh. India on the other hand nowhere looked like the World Champions that they are. A batting that stutters, bowling that lacks teeth, variety and class the only thing India has going currently is the crop of outstanding fielders. India were convincing against SL, flopped big time against Bangladesh with the bowlers leaking runs like a sieve. But that match also saw the maestro in cricket Sachin Tendulkar hit a 100th 100. So in a way the Indians did not mind. But coming into this game India were in a must win situation to keep their tournament hopes alive.
They were no where helped by the toss which was won by Pakistan which promptly chose to bat. What followed was solid lesson on batting by the Pakistani openers who hit the hapless and toothless Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground and at will. The only semblance of taking a wicket came when Sachin bowled and came close to dismissing Hafeez and injured his finger in the process. The openers put on a 224 runs opening partnership before losing both the openers in quick succession. Pakistan put on a mighty 329 in the alloted 50 overs. India faced a daunting task ahead.
Getting to the milestone that has been hanging around his neck for the past 1 year seemed to have set Sachin free in this match for we saw some vintage shots from the maestro's bat. He played the Pakistani attack like a violin, ekeing out high notes interspered with just the right amount of treble. The upper cut for 6 was remiscent of the old era when Sachin dominated the bowlers without mercy. Losing Gambhir for 0 in the opening over was no set back as the in form Virat kept Sachin company. the 133 run stand between them came in quick time and Sachin looked in imperious form making a quick fire 52 before being foxed by Saeed Ajmal.
But there was not stopping the new Mr. Consistent Virat Kohli. In company of Rohit Sharma the young guns embarked on chasing down the Pakistani total with clinical precision. At no time was the run rate allowed to get out of grasp. Perhaps this is 1 of the few advantages of IPL for it has made acheiving 8 or 9 runs an over an regularity rather than a daunting task of the pre-IPL days. Mere weeks after his heroics in Hobart Virat Kohli stamped his authority as 1 of the best chasers in the game by scoring a career high of 183. At one stage it looked as if he may become the 3rd Indian to reach the milestone of 200 runs in an ODI. Given his form and his composure under pressure that 200 does not look too long in the offing.
Overall a win against Pakistan is always something to savor. But India still has a long way to go before being able to challenge teams outside the sub-continent with consistency. The bowling drum looks empty and we are scraping at the bottom. Even Sreesanth looks a better option currently than some of the newer crop.
Last seen playing in the semi-finals of the CWC 2011. This was the first time the two teams were meeting in over a year. India vs Pakistan has always invoked the strongest of sentiments in fans across both nations, be it showering a win with bouquets or with brickbats on a loss India v Pakistan has all the ingredients expected out of a typical Bollywood pot boiler.
So far in this Asia Cup Pakistan looked as the complete team. Good batting, capable bowlers and a effective fielding saw them thrash SL with a bonus point and cruise to a comfortable win against Bangladesh. India on the other hand nowhere looked like the World Champions that they are. A batting that stutters, bowling that lacks teeth, variety and class the only thing India has going currently is the crop of outstanding fielders. India were convincing against SL, flopped big time against Bangladesh with the bowlers leaking runs like a sieve. But that match also saw the maestro in cricket Sachin Tendulkar hit a 100th 100. So in a way the Indians did not mind. But coming into this game India were in a must win situation to keep their tournament hopes alive.
They were no where helped by the toss which was won by Pakistan which promptly chose to bat. What followed was solid lesson on batting by the Pakistani openers who hit the hapless and toothless Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground and at will. The only semblance of taking a wicket came when Sachin bowled and came close to dismissing Hafeez and injured his finger in the process. The openers put on a 224 runs opening partnership before losing both the openers in quick succession. Pakistan put on a mighty 329 in the alloted 50 overs. India faced a daunting task ahead.
Getting to the milestone that has been hanging around his neck for the past 1 year seemed to have set Sachin free in this match for we saw some vintage shots from the maestro's bat. He played the Pakistani attack like a violin, ekeing out high notes interspered with just the right amount of treble. The upper cut for 6 was remiscent of the old era when Sachin dominated the bowlers without mercy. Losing Gambhir for 0 in the opening over was no set back as the in form Virat kept Sachin company. the 133 run stand between them came in quick time and Sachin looked in imperious form making a quick fire 52 before being foxed by Saeed Ajmal.
But there was not stopping the new Mr. Consistent Virat Kohli. In company of Rohit Sharma the young guns embarked on chasing down the Pakistani total with clinical precision. At no time was the run rate allowed to get out of grasp. Perhaps this is 1 of the few advantages of IPL for it has made acheiving 8 or 9 runs an over an regularity rather than a daunting task of the pre-IPL days. Mere weeks after his heroics in Hobart Virat Kohli stamped his authority as 1 of the best chasers in the game by scoring a career high of 183. At one stage it looked as if he may become the 3rd Indian to reach the milestone of 200 runs in an ODI. Given his form and his composure under pressure that 200 does not look too long in the offing.
Overall a win against Pakistan is always something to savor. But India still has a long way to go before being able to challenge teams outside the sub-continent with consistency. The bowling drum looks empty and we are scraping at the bottom. Even Sreesanth looks a better option currently than some of the newer crop.
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