The world of cricket revolves around India with its myriad of fans worldwide. In a country where the game is generally on an equal footing with religion hopes were high that India had the horses to land the Twenty20 World Cup.
But the country’s chances of even reaching the final have evaporated like the morning dew when the sun comes out. Its ace pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tournament with a back stress fracture and this news comes on the heels of another star, all-rounder Ravinder Jadeja, was ruled out with a knee injury. The loss of Bumrah and Jadeja is the equivalent of taking a Mike Tyson uppercut to the chin. India and Australia have been installed as joint favourites to win the tournament and that’s understandable as defending champion Australia will be tough to beat on home soil.
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But one wonders why the bookmakers always tout India as a winner. Of course, India cannot be ignored as it’s always making waves with its money-spinning Indian Premier League and also posting victories in Test and white ball cricket. But when it comes to tournaments sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, the cupboard has been bare since 2013. Hard to believe but true.
India’s last international glory came way back in 2013 when the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the first captain to complete the trifecta – winning the World Twenty20 in 2007, the 2011 World Cup and the Champions Trophy. But India hasn’t been able to repeat those years of splendour under captain and batting superstar Virat Kohli. Kohli stepped down last year and handed the reins to Rohit Sharma.
In fact, it has all been downhill for India in recent months. In last year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates India was sent packing before the semifinals and to add to its embarrassment it was trounced by neighbours Pakistan by 10 wickets. That sent shockwaves across the nation but surprisingly the players weren’t pelted with rotten tomatoes on their arrival home as they once were.
India was made to eat humble pie again last month when Pakistan and then Sri Lanka both defeated India in the Asia Cup that Sri Lanka eventually won. Even though cricket doesn’t depend entirely on one or two players India’s underbelly has been exposed. The bowling unit has been taken to the cleaners and this was made even more evident by South Africa in the last two Twenty20 matches. David Miller slammed an unbeaten 106 in a losing cause in the third match as India hung on for a win by 16 runs for its first series victory over the Proteas. The brilliant Suryakumar Yadav smashed 61 off 22 balls and Virat Kohli (49 not out) as India made 237 for three. Others in the runs included Sharma with 43 and KL Rahul (57).
The Proteas finished on 221 for three thanks to a superb unbeaten stand of 174 runs between Miller and opener Quinton De Kock (69) in a losing cause.
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On Tuesday it was Rilee Rossouw‘s turn to feast on India’s offering in the third encounter at Indore. He starred with a belligerent knock of 100 off 48 balls that was peppered with eight sixes and seven fours. De Kock was among the runs again with 68 and Miller pounded three sixes in his 19 runs off nine balls. The Indian bowling was abysmal in the death overs and this hole will have to be plugged before it sets off for Australia.
India was bundled out for 178 with the pace attack of Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Dwaine Pretorius and Lungi Ngidi too hot to handle.
ENGLAND ON TOP
One can safely delete India and add England to the list of favourites for the World Cup alongside Australia. England turned on the afterburner to edge Pakistan in the seventh Twenty20 match in Lahore to take the series 4-3. After six exciting matches, the decider turned out to be anticlimactic as England ran away with a comprehensive 67-run win. Dawid Malan led the visitors with an unbeaten 78 and Harry Brook weighed in with 46 not out in England’s total of 209 for three. In reply, Pakistan lost its best batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam inside the first three overs and it was curtains up as the home team limped to 142 for eight with Shan Masood hitting 56. For England Chris Woakes (three for 26), David Willey (two for 22) and Reece Topley (one for 34) likely bowled themselves into contention for the World Cup team that will be spearheaded by super-fast Mark Wood. England will also have to make room for returning captain Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes. With Ben Duckett, Alex Hales and Phil Salt also hitting top form England will be tough to beat. Meanwhile, Pakistan may have a powerful bowling unit but after Rizwan and Azam the batting has been lame.
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