India Were Perfect, Again

The David vs Goliath quarterfinal between India and Bangladesh was always going to be a matter of how convincing the India victory would be. The gap between the two sides on paper is apparent, and once again, yet another consistent all round performance from India took them to the semifinals.

A well-deserved century from the stylish Rohit Sharma, coupled with another bustling innings from the quick-firing Suresh Raina, saw India post 302. After a measured start, they had lost their way somewhat in the middle overs. Credit to the Bangladesh spinners who bowled straight and varied their pace to restrict Shikar Dhawan and the usually free-scoring Ajinkya Rahane.

I have always expressed my admiration for Raina as a superb limited overs package, and again, he provided the much-needed impetus to a stuttering innings. Ravindra Jadeja has been under scrutiny for the past few matches, and his entertaining 23 off 10 balls will allow him some much-needed confidence going to the semifinal.

The Indian batting was backed up by another performance of well-directed pace bowling up front, and although Tamim Iqbal played some audacious shots, he appeared to be caught up in the atmosphere and gave up an entertaining start. Yet another ridiculous run out meant that Bangladesh were shut down as early as the seventh over, and it was just a matter of them trying to compile as respectable a total as possible.

Again, India’s fielding was top notch. They spilled one chance, but caught the rest, of which mention must be made of skipper MS Dhoni behind the stumps and Shikhar Dhawan, as well as the run out by Jadeja.

Seven wins from seven matches, yet another score of over 300, another 10 wickets for the bowlers/fielders: India are playing like a complete unit, and the other teams would have been watching them with admiration and respect for a job well done.