India today registered its 6th straight win against arch rivals Pakistan in the World Cup. The win was much more comprehensive. In fact, 76 runs win showed there was no challenge at all from Pakistan. Indians were coming from a win-less drought of 3 months, while Pakistan had at least some wins before World Cup. By history, India held edge but none expected it to be so easy!! How did India make it 6-0?
2015 World Cup: Complete Fixture in Indian Time
Match Statistics
- Indians win by 76 runs.
MOM: Virat Kohli
107 by Kohli is the 1st century by Indian vs Pak in World Cup.
5/55 by Sohail Khan makes him 1st Pakistani and 9th overall to take such a haul on World Cup debut.
Sohail Khan is the 7th Pakistani bowler to take 5-wicket haul in World Cup.
2nd instance of Pakistan conceding 300 or more runs in World Cup.
3 50s in the match: Dhawan 73, Raina 74, Misbah 76.
39th ODI half-century for Misbah. A World record for a player who has not scored any century.
2 100+ partnerships by India make it total 3 in WC vs Pakistan.
100+ Partnerships of match: 129 2nd Dhawan, Kohli, 110 3rd Kohli, Raina
3 maidens by Ashwin is the 5th instance for an Indian bowler, after 1979. Venkataraghavan and Bedi achieved the feat twice.
22 ODI centuries in 143 innings makes Kohli the quickest among the 5 batsmen who have reached the feat. Before him Tendulkar held the record reaching there in 206 innings.
What was the Change in Indian Approach
Psychologically Indians were ahead of Pakistani’s considering historical 5-0 lead. But, the team performance was questionable.
- Virat Kohli, India’s main batsmen, returned to form.
Dhawan and Raina too returned to form.
Ashwin found his rhythm, and bowlers worked as a successful unit.
Indian Innings
Dhoni won the crucial toss at Adelaide and elected to bat. Rohit Sharma (15) became the first of the five victims of Sohail Khan, in the 8th over. From 34/1, Dhawan and Kohli added 129 runs for the second wicket. Dhawan (76-ball 73 runs with 7 4s and a six) was unfortunately run out in a mix up with Kohli. Raina (56-ball 74 runs with 5 4s 3 6s) showed why he is India’s one of the best talent as he kept the scoreboard busy even when Kohli took a long time to complete his century.
During Power Play India could score only 25 runs despite having 8 wickets in hand. Kohli (126-ball 107 runs with 8 4s) was slow but the innings was important for the high-pressure match.
After 110 run 3rd wicket partnership, Kohli became 2nd victim of Sohail as India were 273/3 in 45.2 overs. After that Sohail and Wahab controlled the game as India could score only 27/5 in last 5 overs. Dhoni (13-ball 18 runs with a four and a six), Jadeja (3), Rahane (0) found the situation tough to handle, still Indian could touch 300 runs.
India became the 4th consecutive team in the 4th match of World Cup 2015 to score 300 or more runs.
For Pakistan, Sohail Khan (5/55) was successful while Wahab Riaz (1/49) troubled Indians the most. Md Irfan (0/58), Afridi (0/50 in 8 overs), Yasir Shah (0/60 in 8 overs), and Haris Sohail (0/26 in 4 overs) were taken for a ride by Indian top order.
Pakistan’s Lost by 76 runs
In the chase of 301 runs, Pakistani suffered first blow in 4th over as Younis Khan (6 runs) was caught behind in Shami’s over. Shehzad (47) and Haris Sohail (36) added valuable 68 runs for 2nd wicket but Indians were in control. Misbah (76 runs in 84 balls with 9 4s and a six) was the solo fighter. Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood (0) became twin victim in the 24th over bowled by Umesh Yadav, while in next over Umar Akhmal (0) was sent back by Jadeja on a controversial DRS decision. IN 25th over Pak were 103/5.
Shahid Afridi (run a ball 22 runs with a four and a six) added 46 runs with Misbah, but succumbed to rising required run rate. Wahab (4), Yasir Shah )13) and Sohail Khan (7) soon completed the innings by 47th over as Mohammad Irfan remained unbeaten on 1 run when Pak scored 224 runs, bowled out for the 4th time in World Cup against India.
Really happy.
Thanks to newschoupal.com