India entered ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as defending champions, and have started off the tournament in style, beating Pakistan, South Africa and UAE by comprehensive margins. From rank outsiders, suddenly they are being discussed as one of the favourites in the tournament. Can they win from here? For India to win and retain the Cup they won four years ago, the following things have to happen: Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
1. All bowlers will have to maintain their fitness through the next few weeks. This is easier said than done. Mohammed Shami has already missed out on one match due to a knee strain. Luckily, it was not a particularly challenging match against one of the weaker sides.
2. The intensity of the whole team will have to be kept up through all 50 overs of each innings. One relaxed session of play could spell doom. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
3. Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, and Suresh Raina will be required to keep producing the kind of innings they have played so far. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni will also need to join the party sooner than later. It is India’s batting that will, ultimately, make the difference. For that, three or four batsmen need to come good consistently.
4. India will have to make slight adjustments to their game plans and, perhaps, to their playing XI during the New Zealand leg of their tournament (which could extend up to the semifinal). Not having to play New Zealand — perhaps until the finals — will also help. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings
5. Ravichandran Ashwin will have to believe in his wicket-taking capabilities and should have the guts to buy his wickets when the situation demands. If he takes 15 wickets or more, even at over six runs an over, it would serve India’s purpose.
6. Ravi Shastri, Duncan Fletcher, and Sanjay Bangar will have to put their heads together and carefully plan the strategy for each opponents, based on the pitch and weather conditions. The team would have to trust them and implement the plans whole-heartedly. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
7. Finally, Dhoni will have to rediscover his Midas touch as Captain and batsman, to make a difference when it counts most.
[inline-quotes align=”left”]A well-oiled machine always works better than an outstanding component.[/inline-quotes]
What the Indians will have to guard against:
1. Complacency, not only against the weaker teams but also when they are in a winning position. They will have to concentrate over after over to ensure that they remain one up on their opponents right through every match. Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
2. The desire to create records and become superheroes. All batsmen will have to remember that this is a team game and the requirements of the team will have to be uppermost in their minds. Let Chris Gayle hulk out, Brendon McCullum slash away to glory, AB de Villiers punish bowlers, and others play superlative knocks and break records. India’s batsmen should focus on winning matches.
4. Overdependence on the luck factor. Good teams make their own luck to win big matches.
5. Getting involved in verbal battles, both on and off the field. Let their bats and the ball do the talking. They can fire off their tongues when the Cup is securely in their team bus! ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
Why India are likely to win the Cup:
I will end this piece by sticking my neck out and declaring that India are likely to win the Cup. The reason I believe so is because the Indians have played their mind games well throughout this Australian summer. Yes, believe me when I say this! Consider the following facts:
1. They landed in Australia with an aggressive mindset. They went all out for a near-impossible win in the first Test and nearly pulled it off.
2. They knew they could not take 20 wickets to win Test matches on unhelpful wickets, yet their bowlers kept bowling their hearts out at high pace. The results are now showing. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
3. They went easy and relaxed during the tri-series, knowing that it was the World Cup that mattered most, and they needed to peak at the right time.
4. They knew that by the time the tournament reaches the business end, the Australian wickets will aid the spinners. Ashwin was wisely kept in wraps until it was necessary to let him loose.
5. Ravi Shastri knows that the Australians are the only team that can upset the Indians’ plans, so he has been putting them under pressure by saying that India is the one team that can take the Cup away from them. Well, take my word for it; India can bring home the Cup!
(Aspy Unwalla is a life-long cricket fan who played alongside, and against, Roger Binny and Brijesh Patel in his school and college days. His love of the game translated to the youngest of his three sons taking up cricket reporting as a full-time profession.)
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