Published: Mar 14, 2015, 04:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 14, 2015, 04:37 PM (IST)
With India’s six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, they have now gone on to win six games in a row in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and extended their World Cup tally to 10 successive wins. Aspy Unwalla elaborates on how India have scripted their preparations for the knock-outs perfectly. Top 10 batsmen in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
India have scripted their preparations for the knock-out stages of ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 perfectly. Their last Group B match against Zimbabwe may have caused a few jitters, but they were never in any doubt of winning it. This can be said with a degree of certainty, due to the following reasons: Top 10 bowlers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
1. There was no let-up in intensity: Having won the first five matches with ease, India could easily have relaxed and lost the sixth match against a comparatively weak opposition — and there were occasions when they did appear to be less than focused — but when push came to shove they found two champion finishers who came to the party. Suresh Raina played like we have always known him to play when the chips are down, and Captain Cool MS Dhoni was at his commanding best in the last lap. Top 10 fielders in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
2. India continued to bowl out the opposition: When Zimbabwe batsmen Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, and Craig Ervine played out of their skins and looked to be running away to a huge total, the Indian pacers came back with superb spells to finish off their innings with more than an over to spare. As long as they continue bowling out their opponents within the 50 overs each time, India will keep winning. Top 10 wicketkeepers in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015
3. India answered Dhoni’s challenge: Dhoni decided to give his team a real tough test by inserting Zimbabwe in on a perfect pitch where, if India had batted first, they could possibly have batted the opposition out of the match. By deciding to chase, the Indian captain threw a challenge to his team. He knew that Zimbabwe have a batting line up good enough to set the Indians a stiff target, and he wanted his young team to soak up the pressure of a tough chase. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Pool-wise Team Standings
4. Bangladesh have helped India by not rolling over: India should now go into the knock-outs with the confidence that they can win from most situations. The fact that Bangladesh beat England and gave New Zealand a run for their money will ensure that the Indians are going to put their best foot forward from Ball One in their quarter-final. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
In other words, India are well prepared for the knock-outs. Bangladesh might not pose India too many questions as long as India do not get carried away and play to their potential. Once in the semi-final, all India need is a show of grit and total commitment to bring home the World Cup! ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
(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.)
