India vs Pakistan Match Review

It is the biggest game in cricket and the most awaited clash of the World Cup. The occasion was even more significant because it was the first time Pakistan had faced India, in India for 12 years, yet the result stayed the same. Both teams came into the game 2 wins from 2, however, they had come in 2 very different ways. Pakistan was bowled out by the Netherlands in the first game for under 300 and against Sri Lanka, was battered around but Rizwan and Shafique’s heroics ensured it was 2/2. On the other hand, India trampled over 5-time champions, Australia and destroyed Afghanistan by 8 wickets in Delhi.

Top order cruise the first 30

Pakistan got off to an uncharacteristically quick start with Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq blasting 9 boundaries combined, but at 73–2, all of Pakistan’s hopes rested on Babar and Rizwan. In their traditional fashion, they milked the bowlers, putting together a partnership of 82 off 103. Eventually, it took smart bowling from Siraj, using the uneven bounce of the pitch and the shiny side of the ball, he got one to sneak under Babar’s defense and clean him up. However, Babar didn't leave without stamping his mark on the game, scoring his first ODI fifty against India. The unplayable balls didn't stop there, as Bumrah cleaned Rizwan up through his gate with an off-cutter, reminiscent of a Ravi Ashwin delivery.

A collapse for the ages

At 155–2, on a pitch that many thought was a 280–300 par wicket, India was in big trouble, but that was before a magical over from Kuldeep. He extracted spin both ways to remove Saud Shakeel and Ifthikar Ahmed with a leg spinner and a googly respectively. After that, the floodgates opened as Bumrah bowled 2 of the best balls of the tournament, the better of the 2 coming against Shadab Khan, crashing into his off stump. Nawaz and Hasan Ali both threw their wickets away trying to go over the top, showing their lack of experience in these situations, and highlighting the teams’ reliance on their top 4. Jadeja pinned Rauf LBW, giving India their second successful review of the innings and finishing off the Pakistan batting order, the last 8 wickets falling for 36 runs. India put on the perfect team bowling display with all 5 bowlers taking 2 wickets each. That has only happened in the World Cup 2 times before, once in NZ vs SL (2015), the other? India vs Pakistan (2011).

World Cup Rohit returns

Since getting a duck in the first match against Australia, Rohit has scored 217 runs, at a strike rate of 148, moving him to 6 on the all-time World Cup runs leaderboard. From the very first ball, Rohit played with confidence which is what has been missing from his game in the past few bilaterals he's played. Gill’s debut World Cup innings didn't go to plan as he flashed one to point off Shaheen Shah Afridi for 16, which all came in boundaries.

Shreyas and Rahul cruise the chase

Kohli looked comfortable at the crease before mistiming one to mid-on for 16, leaving Shreyas Iyer and Rohit to complete the chase. Rohit fell 77 runs later, dragging one to midwicket 14 short of an 8th World Cup century. Rahul came out with only 36 to win, supporting Iyer who needed a score, and a score he got, reaching 53 off 62 balls, taking down the spinners, and seeing out the chase alongside Rahul who knocked his away around to 19.

Match Ratings:

Pakistan

1. Abdullah Shafique — 4/10: looked good but got one that stayed low of Siraj.
2. Imam-ul-Haq — 5/10: also looked good and got a start but threw his wicket away with an unnecessary shot.
3. Babar Azam — 6.5/10: got his first ODI 50 against India but needed to capitalise on the situation.
4. Mohammad Rizwan — 5.5/10: got a slow 49, pacing needs to improve, and should have taken more responsibility during the collapse.
5. Saud Shakeel — 1/10: went back to the wrong ball.
6. Iftikhar Ahmed — 2/10: dismissal was all his fault but took a regulation catch off Rohit.
7. Shadab Khan — 2/10: unlucky to get an unplayable ball and had to bowl in an impossible situation.
8. Mohammad Nawaz — 3/10: threw his wicket away when the team needed him but bowled alright for the situation.
9. Hasan Ali — 3.5/10: got the big wicket of Kohli but was very loose in the powerplay.
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi — 4.5/10: took two big wickets but was not his usual self with the new ball.
11. Haris Rauf — 2/10: bowled way too short to Rohit and got punished.

India

1. Rohit Sharma — 9/10: another excellent innings and was preceded by some excellent captaincy. Everyone thought bowling first was the wrong decision but him.
2. Shubman Gill — 3/10: not his best innings but forgivable after a week of illness.
3. Virat Kohli — 3.5/10: similar to Gill, not the best day out but excellent in the field.
4. Shreyas Iyer — 7.5/10: had a lot to prove and silenced the doubters. Short ball may be an issue.
5. KL Rahul — 6/10: sensible innings at the end to see the team home. Looking comfortable with the gloves on.
6. Hardik Pandya — 6/10: passion for the team is unmatched, the future captain of India.
7. Ravindra Jadeja — 6.5/10: economical again and superb in the field. Cleaned up the tail.
8. Shardul Thakur — 3/10: stood out like a sore thumb in a world-class bowling attack.
9. Jasprit Bumrah — 9.5/10 (MOM): a spell for the ages with two of the best balls of the competition. Bowler of the tournament so far.
10. Kuldeep Yadav — 8.5/10: his over changed the game and shifted momentum in India’s favour.
11. Mohammed Siraj — 7/10: slightly expensive again but smart bowling and got the big wicket of Babar.

Summary

An underwhelming match due to its one-sided nature, but by no means was it boring. Pakistan will feel that they threw away a strong position that could have gotten them their first World Cup win against India, but for now, the score moves to 8–0 in India’s favour. India’s only question mark coming out of the game is that 6th bowler. Rohit seems reluctant to use Thakur and when he does, he has been expensive. Surely in these subcontinent conditions, we will see Ashwin feature in the next match against Bangladesh. Pakistan must not let this heavy defeat affect them but instead, they need to move on as they are still in a very strong position to qualify for the top four. They are very clearly missing a top-class spinner and Naseem Shah.