India and Pakistan have met only nine times since the turn of this decade and the lack of frequency meant a Indo-Pak tie in the Champions Trophy would not be seen as merely as a group match – but a do or die encounter. There was a lot riding on the match and for Team India which is experiencing its glory days a comprehensive win against Pakistan is the best message they could have sent as defending champions.
On their way to the 124-run victory against their neighbours, India displayed a performance which captain Virat Kohli said was “9 out of 10.”
Here are the three takeaways from the comprehensive victory.
King Kohli reigns supreme
Kohli failed against the Australians in the Test series played earlier this year. He failed again in the IPL – both as a captain and batsman. His Royal Challengers Bangalore side finished bottom of the table.
But he was a different player against Pakistan.
Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start but they needed someone to stay till the end in a game that saw multiple breaks due to rain. Kohli, who came out to bat in the 25th over, sustained till the end, starting on a slow note to build the innings. He made his first 45 runs off 57 deliveries but showed a tremendous burst to score 36 off the next 11 deliveries to end unbeaten at 81 off 68.
Energised with the solid performance, Kohli also led his bowling unit smartly to inflict another defeat on Pakistan.
Yuvraj remains the champ
Yuvraj Singh’s name is synonymous to the word champion in world cricket. The southpaw was 2011 ODI World Cup’s man of the tournament as he led India to the title after a 26-year wait. He did all this while suffering from cancer.
The 35-year-old cricketer not only beat the disease but mounted an incredible comeback to India’s ODI side against England in January this season after a gap of three years. He was brought back into the team with an eye on the Champions Trophy.
Yuvraj missed both the warm-up games before the Pakistan tie due to fever but that didn’t blunt his capability. In fact, he was India’s stand-out performer with his 53 off 32 deliveries, also winning the man of the match award, but more importantly, the veteran has sounded a warning — he is not done yet.
Hardik Pandya is the man
English conditions are favourable for pace bowlers but spin bowling has been India’s strength for decades. Keeping Ravichandran Ashwin out of a team is no mean feat but all-rounder Hardik Pandya has managed to do exactly that, and how! Team combination was Kohli’s biggest headache before the game, but Pandya’s match performance would have come as a huge confidence boost.
Pandya’s ability to score quick runs and take crucial wickets allows the skipper to back himself and implement the five-bowler strategy. Yuvraj’s match-winning innings could have overshadowed Pandya’s contribution but the Gujarat cricketer did everything to match expectations.
Coming in to bat late in the innings, Pandya struck three sixes in the last over to take India to a mammoth 319 from 48 overs. He also took two crucial wickets including that of Pakistan’s skipper Sarfraz Ahmed. Pandya’s utility has brought the much needed balance to the team.
Feature image: ICC