Published: Feb 16, 2015, 04:47 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 16, 2015, 04:47 AM (IST)
By Faisal Kamal
New Delhi: Crediting India’s emphatic win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to MS Dhoni’s mature captaincy, cricket legend Kapil Dev today said the Indian skipper used his experience really well and was spot on with field placements. India vs Pakistan: Full Scorecard
“This Pakistan team lacks maturity but we seem to have that going for us. Especially, the captain. Dhoni played his role of skipper really well,” Kapil, who is part of the Hindi commentary team on Star Sports, told PTI from Mumbai. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
“His field placements for attacking bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin were spot on. He seems to use his experience really well and it worked brilliant for India,” he added. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
If Virat Kohli’s 107-run knock propelled India to 300 for seven then Shikhar Dhawan (73) and Suresh Raina (74) also played their parts.
If Kapil, who led India to their first World Cup triumph in 1983, was impressed with Kohli and the team effort then the former all-rounder had a special word of praise for the two left-handers.
“India outplayed Pakistan in all departments today. Their great batting display was followed by a tight team bowling performance. Virat, from whom we now expect big innings everytime he goes to bat, played well,” said Kapil.
“But the big factor of today’s win was distinct innings by the two southpaws, Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. It was a complete team effort and the happiness on every Indian player face’s just show what India-Pakistan means to them.”
India were looking set to go beyond a 320 plus score with Kohli and Dhawan stitching a 129-run second-wicket partnership. But Kohli’s departure in the 46th over checked the Indian surge as Pakistan speedster Sohail Khan picked up five wickets.
Kapil said that had it not been for Kohli’s wicket India would have got to 350. “Virat Kohli was the reason for India’s score reaching 300 but he was also the reason for the teams score not to reach 350. His was a crucial wicket,” said Kapil.
