So, Men in Blue finally started their World Cup 2019 journey after a yawning week's time(Who on earth made this itinerary😠). Who keeps the world No.2 ranked team out of the contest,the whole first week of the biggest show on earth-The Cricket World CUP??
Ok, lets move into the Game 1 of Team India.They were slated to face the S.Africans who have already played their 2 matches against England and Bangladesh although ending on a loosing side in both of them. The Indian were coming into their first game after the gap of a whole week of the start of the contest.Understandingly, they were thought of being a bit rusty.
Virat Kohli started with loosing the toss to the proteas but was pleasantly surprised by getting a go with the ball in an overcast conditions.The Africans opened to a shaky start with both Amla and De Kock playing and missing to the sensational Bumrah .The African openers never looked in control and were clearly clueless especially against Bumrah ,who finally cleaned them up for 6 and 10 respectively. Captain Kohli was his aggressive self putting an attacking field to both the openers and leading from the front by taking a stunner at 3rd slip to send De Kock back into the pavilion.Once both openers were sent back the Indians smelled an opportunity for early inroads into the opposition lineup.
Captain Du Plessis came into the crease and immediately was given a life by Rohit of Bhuvi at slips.He went on to make 38 but was sent back by Chahal who also cleaned up new comer Dussen and experienced Miller for 22 and 31. Past his prime J.P.Duminy also never looked in control and was sent back by Chahal's spin colleague Yadav.
After this the proteas innings added runs on the board courtesy their lower order of new bee Phehlukwayo and experienced Morris and Rabada,with Tahir not disturbing the scorer at all.
The Africans ended up with a paltry score of 277 all out on board to defend.
Indians too started off on a shaky platform with Rabada and Morris coming out full steam spitting venom,the sky still being overcast and white ball moving a bit in the air as well . Both the Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit were tentative to start with understandably,this being their first game of the contest and Rohit also was not coming into the tournament on a high form. Dhawan was the first to go on 8 of Rabada who kept the intensity on.In came captain Kohli and suddenly the wicket started to witness lot of cat calls and chirpiness from the close in fielders as proteas tried getting under the skin of captain Kohli straight away.However Kohli didn't last long and was caught brilliantly by keeper DeKock for 18.
Then it was the turn of the Indian no. 4 K.L.Rahul to come to the crease.No.4 slot is the current bone of contention for the men in blue right even from before the start of the world cup.He too couldn't help support the Hit Man Rohit Sharma who was slowly coming into his own and was playing the role of sheet anchor for the team after surviving the initial onslaught of the Africans.Rahul was sent back by Rabada for a paltry 26 getting him caught by captain Du Plessis.
It was left with Dhoni to come and support Rohit when India needed somebody to stay at the other end.Dhoni rotated the strike well in his customary style and milked the proteas bowling along with Rohit.Just when India was almost on the brink of victory,Dhoni got caught and bowled by Morris who registered his first and only wicket of the match.Then a quick fire cameo of Hardik Pandaya saw India comfortably surpassing the African total.
Both Rohit (122 of 144 balls) and Pandaya(15 of 7 balls) remained unbeaten and made sure India started its world cup journey on a winning note.
My Analysis:
1. S.Africa lost an opportunity by winning the Toss and Batting on an overcast condition and an opportunity lost for a Top Class bowler like Rabada .
2.The Africans sorely missed the services of Lungi Ngidi who was out of the day's contest due to Hamstring Injury.He and Rabada make a formidable pair for the Proteas.
3. The African openers,both Amla and DeKock who are class players looked clueless against Bumrah.They were tentative right from the start of the innings giving Bumrah the edge right upfront.I wish they had done their home work well against Bumrah as is expected from the world class players like Amla and De Kock.
4. The Captain Du Plessis never looked to lead from the front as he lacked the body language of a leader ready to fight it out.Which rubbed on to the whole team that rightly felt out of place right from the word go.Although Rabada and Morris bowled with lot of Venom and gave their best.
5.Experienced Miller and Duminy never justified their place in the squad.
6. S Africans missed the services of Mr 360 degree AB Devillers a lot.Without him this team is undoubtedly the weakest S African team sent in a World CUP.
7.India on the other hand ,Although a bit shaky to start off played a better game and can feel happy about it.
8. Hit Man Rohit Sharma coming back to form that to in the first game itself, is Good News for team India and an Alarm for the rest of the teams.The lazy elegance and the presentation of a straight bat is a treat to watch any day.This Innings of his, may not be the most flamboyant of the innings but he has shown when he gets his eye in ,he is in for a big daddy 100s and carries his bat through the innings and this is quite valuable for team India in the later half of the tournament.
9. I am not very fond of Shikhar Dhawan considering i don't think he knows the role of an opener that well. All said and done about his impressive stats but he seriously should think about putting a price on his wicket and should sharpen his skill against moving deliveries.He seriously needs to play within himself at least during the initial phase of his innings.
10. Captain Kohli commanded his troops very well with chopping and changing the bowling when needed,putting the right field positions and making the right decisions.Cool Dhoni at his side,you will find Kohli at ease...always.Its the time when Dhoni is not around does his real captainship comes into picture which needs to be seriously improved.
11.M.S.Dhoni was his inimitably best with safest of the hands behind the wicket and chipping in with valuable 30s when team needed them most.His presence leave a sense of calm over the whole team and they don't panic which is a boon for team India.
12.Hardik Pandaya is the one who was understood his role to the tee in the team.The position he comes into bat, he has the license to go all out without fear.He showed the same in this match too.He is someone who can share the no.5 bowler's role quite well too.
13.Bumrah showed the world why he is the best bolwer in the world at present.All the teams in contention must be worried as to how they would tackle him.If he comes out with the highest wicket haul in this tournament that will not be surprising at all.India is fortunate to have him at their helm.
14.Bhuvi seemed as if he is struggling initially,but i'm sure he is a world class experienced bowler and will come into his own as the contest progresses.
15. Chahal and Kuldeep like to hunt in pair.Their strength lies in both bowling in tandem .This tournament will mature them and they will do well on English wickets .
All in all,A wonderful outing for Team India.Great to see them, start with a authoritative win.
Looking forward to the next fixture.
Will come back after the next match.Till Then...HAPPY READING!!
Ok, lets move into the Game 1 of Team India.They were slated to face the S.Africans who have already played their 2 matches against England and Bangladesh although ending on a loosing side in both of them. The Indian were coming into their first game after the gap of a whole week of the start of the contest.Understandingly, they were thought of being a bit rusty.
Virat Kohli started with loosing the toss to the proteas but was pleasantly surprised by getting a go with the ball in an overcast conditions.The Africans opened to a shaky start with both Amla and De Kock playing and missing to the sensational Bumrah .The African openers never looked in control and were clearly clueless especially against Bumrah ,who finally cleaned them up for 6 and 10 respectively. Captain Kohli was his aggressive self putting an attacking field to both the openers and leading from the front by taking a stunner at 3rd slip to send De Kock back into the pavilion.Once both openers were sent back the Indians smelled an opportunity for early inroads into the opposition lineup.
Captain Du Plessis came into the crease and immediately was given a life by Rohit of Bhuvi at slips.He went on to make 38 but was sent back by Chahal who also cleaned up new comer Dussen and experienced Miller for 22 and 31. Past his prime J.P.Duminy also never looked in control and was sent back by Chahal's spin colleague Yadav.
After this the proteas innings added runs on the board courtesy their lower order of new bee Phehlukwayo and experienced Morris and Rabada,with Tahir not disturbing the scorer at all.
The Africans ended up with a paltry score of 277 all out on board to defend.
Indians too started off on a shaky platform with Rabada and Morris coming out full steam spitting venom,the sky still being overcast and white ball moving a bit in the air as well . Both the Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit were tentative to start with understandably,this being their first game of the contest and Rohit also was not coming into the tournament on a high form. Dhawan was the first to go on 8 of Rabada who kept the intensity on.In came captain Kohli and suddenly the wicket started to witness lot of cat calls and chirpiness from the close in fielders as proteas tried getting under the skin of captain Kohli straight away.However Kohli didn't last long and was caught brilliantly by keeper DeKock for 18.
Then it was the turn of the Indian no. 4 K.L.Rahul to come to the crease.No.4 slot is the current bone of contention for the men in blue right even from before the start of the world cup.He too couldn't help support the Hit Man Rohit Sharma who was slowly coming into his own and was playing the role of sheet anchor for the team after surviving the initial onslaught of the Africans.Rahul was sent back by Rabada for a paltry 26 getting him caught by captain Du Plessis.
It was left with Dhoni to come and support Rohit when India needed somebody to stay at the other end.Dhoni rotated the strike well in his customary style and milked the proteas bowling along with Rohit.Just when India was almost on the brink of victory,Dhoni got caught and bowled by Morris who registered his first and only wicket of the match.Then a quick fire cameo of Hardik Pandaya saw India comfortably surpassing the African total.
Both Rohit (122 of 144 balls) and Pandaya(15 of 7 balls) remained unbeaten and made sure India started its world cup journey on a winning note.
My Analysis:
1. S.Africa lost an opportunity by winning the Toss and Batting on an overcast condition and an opportunity lost for a Top Class bowler like Rabada .
2.The Africans sorely missed the services of Lungi Ngidi who was out of the day's contest due to Hamstring Injury.He and Rabada make a formidable pair for the Proteas.
3. The African openers,both Amla and DeKock who are class players looked clueless against Bumrah.They were tentative right from the start of the innings giving Bumrah the edge right upfront.I wish they had done their home work well against Bumrah as is expected from the world class players like Amla and De Kock.
4. The Captain Du Plessis never looked to lead from the front as he lacked the body language of a leader ready to fight it out.Which rubbed on to the whole team that rightly felt out of place right from the word go.Although Rabada and Morris bowled with lot of Venom and gave their best.
5.Experienced Miller and Duminy never justified their place in the squad.
6. S Africans missed the services of Mr 360 degree AB Devillers a lot.Without him this team is undoubtedly the weakest S African team sent in a World CUP.
7.India on the other hand ,Although a bit shaky to start off played a better game and can feel happy about it.
8. Hit Man Rohit Sharma coming back to form that to in the first game itself, is Good News for team India and an Alarm for the rest of the teams.The lazy elegance and the presentation of a straight bat is a treat to watch any day.This Innings of his, may not be the most flamboyant of the innings but he has shown when he gets his eye in ,he is in for a big daddy 100s and carries his bat through the innings and this is quite valuable for team India in the later half of the tournament.
9. I am not very fond of Shikhar Dhawan considering i don't think he knows the role of an opener that well. All said and done about his impressive stats but he seriously should think about putting a price on his wicket and should sharpen his skill against moving deliveries.He seriously needs to play within himself at least during the initial phase of his innings.
10. Captain Kohli commanded his troops very well with chopping and changing the bowling when needed,putting the right field positions and making the right decisions.Cool Dhoni at his side,you will find Kohli at ease...always.Its the time when Dhoni is not around does his real captainship comes into picture which needs to be seriously improved.
11.M.S.Dhoni was his inimitably best with safest of the hands behind the wicket and chipping in with valuable 30s when team needed them most.His presence leave a sense of calm over the whole team and they don't panic which is a boon for team India.
12.Hardik Pandaya is the one who was understood his role to the tee in the team.The position he comes into bat, he has the license to go all out without fear.He showed the same in this match too.He is someone who can share the no.5 bowler's role quite well too.
13.Bumrah showed the world why he is the best bolwer in the world at present.All the teams in contention must be worried as to how they would tackle him.If he comes out with the highest wicket haul in this tournament that will not be surprising at all.India is fortunate to have him at their helm.
14.Bhuvi seemed as if he is struggling initially,but i'm sure he is a world class experienced bowler and will come into his own as the contest progresses.
15. Chahal and Kuldeep like to hunt in pair.Their strength lies in both bowling in tandem .This tournament will mature them and they will do well on English wickets .
All in all,A wonderful outing for Team India.Great to see them, start with a authoritative win.
Looking forward to the next fixture.
Will come back after the next match.Till Then...HAPPY READING!!
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