Team India Comes Good, Routs Pakistan In Super Eight T20!

The whole of India is celebrating is celebrating as if India have won the ICC T20 World Cup 2012! No wonder, if Indiago on losing the semi final berth and the Cup from here millions of fans all over would still be happy that Indiahad indeed defeated Pakistanon the way! No wonder, if Pakistanproceed from here to win the T20 World Cup it would still rankle millions of fans all over that Pakistangot defeated by Indiaon the way! Such is the passion for matches between these arch-rivals. And, no harm done really as finally it proves the love for cricket one more time.

In the much awaited crunch match in Colomboon 30^th September Indiacrushed Pakistanby 8 wickets with 3 overs to spare. Thus India have kept the record of never losing a World Cup, be it one-day or T20 internationals, against Pakistan unbroken. Pakistanwon the toss choosing to bat first and the decision was instantly criticized by Pakistanexperts, because the chasing team has been winning the matches recently. Indian experts also opined that it was a good toss to lose.

The weak link in the Indian team, its bowling, finally found the length and rhythm. Maybe it was so as finally the best team was fielded with opener Virender Sehwag coming back into the team. Two of the three spinners, Harbhajan and Chawla, were dropped and bringing in pacer Balaji was a masterstroke, because Balaji was very effective against Pakistanand was immensely popular in Pakistanyears back. Seven batsmen option was taken with the part timers expected to deliver. And indeed, they delivered. Yuvraj Singh whose place in the team was questioned by many experts did everything possible as an excellent and competitive cricketer—he bowled exceptionally taking two wickets at a crucial juncture, fielded brilliantly causing a run-out too and batted most sensibly giving support to the man of the match Viral Kohli to take India home remaining not out on 19. Skipper Dhoni took the right decisions this time and his team got inspired.

The Pakistanbatting could never launch anchors with wickets falling at regular intervals. The inept Indian bowling this time got the full team out for just 128 runs in 19.4 overs. Everyone bowled tight—Balaji taking 3 scalps, Ashwin and Yuvraj capturing two each and Pathan and even Kohli getting one each. The two heroic Umars--Umar Akmal and Umar Gul could not rescue the team this time. 

In the Indian chase Sehwag justified his selection by scoring quick 29 runs in difficult conditions never allowing the momentum slow down after losing Gambhir in the very first over to spinner Raza Hasan who opened the Pak bowling attack. After that it was the classic Virat Kohli (78 not out off 61 balls) again who guided Indiato a great victory with Yuvraj’s company. The Scorecard:

In the first match unstoppable Australiadefeated a lackluster South Africa by  8 wickets with Shane Watson  having an incredible all-round run and winning the fourth man of the match award of the tournament in as many matches. The Scorecard:

Now India is in the third position in Group-2 and meet South Africa on 2^ndOctober while Pakistan face up to Australia on the same day in Colombo. Both teams would be trying hard to win their matches and in that eventuality a three-way tie would emerge with  the net run rate deciding which two would go through. Other permutations would work if different situations emerge.