On any stage in Cricket, India - Pakistan rivalry is always hot. This one was 'Red Hot'. There was a lot of drama and histrionics from both sides. The usual suspects like Gambhir, Shoib Akhtar and Bhajji were back.
It indeed was a great game of Cricket with a lots of twists and turns. But none better than the last one! Only a Sardar could have pulled of such a thing against Pakistan! Singh is King!
We know why India won. Good bowling by PK, Zaheer, Jadeja and Bhajji. Good batting by Gambhir, Dhoni, and Raina. And finally the sucker punch by Bhajji again! He was in the thick of action for all the right reasons and the wrong ones too!
But there are some lesser known facts behind this worthy Indian win today! Let us take a look...
1] Shoib Akhtar: The greatest 'Show Pony' of Pakistan Cricket is back and he did everything. He cramped Sehwag, fought with any Indian willing and then bowled those inexplicable loose balls. The no-ball and the six by Dhoni of a free-hit put India on course. He again was clobbered for maximum by Raina and Bhajji!
2] Mohammed Amer: This premature Superstar with immature head and a good bouncer did well to check Sehwag up front. He put down a sitter by Gambhir, that must be considered the turning point. India were still not half way then. Then he bowled the ball that ended it all for Pakistan in this episode of Asia Cup!
3] Sundries: The extras donated by Pakistan bowlers and fielders did make a big difference in a match they lost by a narrow margin. Mohammad Amer was again the culprit in chief. Leg-byes did make a big difference thanks to the leg line employed by Pak bowlers.
4] Pakistan middle and lower order: Afridi and Kamran Akmal at crease with 7 overs to go and Razzack still to come! One expected Pakistan to put it beyond India by scoring 280 or more. They lost 5 wickets in 35 balls to be bowled out and thus wasting 3 balls. That perhaps was the difference in the end!
5] Ravindra Jadeja: He bowled well to concede just 43 runs from his 10 overs and claimed the dangerous Umar Akmal. But Jadeja is here for something more important. He got out at the right time. If he were to continue batting any further, Raina and Bhajji couldn't have saved India!
Million Thanks for getting out Mr. Jadeja. This victory is dedicated to you !
No. 3 and 5 are spot on, which doesn't mean the others are not but actually these are points people tend to overlook. But it was simply Bhajji's day and whatever he touched turned gold. What a match!
ReplyDeleteYes, it was 'Singh is King Day' :-)
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