India vs Pakistan ICC T20 World Cup – A Game of Emotions

Exactly 100 days since the announcement of ICC World T20 fixtures, the cricket fans across the world will once again witness one of the greatest cricket   battles at Eden Gardens today after the match was shifted from Dharamsala to Kolkata amidst controversies last week. It was not long ago when both the teams had faced each other in Asia Cup where India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in a low scoring game.

Both the teams have faced each other 4 times in T20 World Cups since 2007 and India has never lost a game to Pakistan. Statically, if India holds edge over Pakistan in World Cup games, then there is something to cheer for Pakistan fans as their team has never lost a game against India at Eden Garden in all the 4 international matches they have played here.

For India, it is a must win game to stay alive in the tournament after their big loss in an opening match against New Zealand. On the other hand, Pakistan has beaten Bangladesh by a big margin and is leading their group with net run rate.

With few hours left for the game to start, we look at some of the strengths, weaknesses and players to watch from both the teams.

Strengths:

India: India’s strength is their batting and the openers Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan needs to fire at the top to fewer burdens of Virat Kohli who has been very consistent in the shortest format. Virat Kohli averages 66 in the 12 World Cup T20 games he played so far. MS Dhoni’s tremendous striking ability and his composure as a captain on a big stage is unmatchable.

Of late, India has found bowlers who are providing breakthroughs early on and executing Yorkers at the death to perfection. Another aspect that has been a key to India’s success in the shortest format is their fielding. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are lightening quick in the field.

Pakistan: Pakistan’s strength has always been their bowling and the way their bowlers have bowled against India in Asia Cup is still a fresh. The duo of Mohammed Amir and Mohammed Irfan has been bowling well and could well pose a threat to India’s batting line up on any wicket.

The senior statesman Shoaib Malik is their go to man with loads of experience in batting. Pakistan’s wicket keeper batsman, Sarfaraz Ahmad is in fine form and should be playing up the order to provide stability to the middle order if the openers fail to score. With Shahid Afridi and Ahmed Shahzad contributing to Pakistan’s win in the last game, things look good for Pakistan.

Weakness:

India: India’s biggest weakness is their batting against left hand fast bowlers. Except MS Dhoni, the entire batsmen struggle as their average dips playing left arm fast bowlers. To add to India’s woes, Pakistan has 3 left arm fast bowlers in Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Irfan and Wahab Riaz. It will be interesting to see weather Indians overcome their problems or succumb under pressure. Another area of concern for Team India is the form of Ravindra Jadeja, who hasn’t been contributing with the bat when the top order collapses. Except his fielding skills, there has not been much improvement from the all-rounder.

Pakistan: Pakistan’s biggest problem has always been their opening pair which is struggling to provide a good start. The failures of top order batsmen make Pakistan look vulnerable while chasing anything beyond 140. Another area of concern for Pakistan is their spin department that’s missing the services of Saeed Ajmal. Pakistan has been struggling to find a quality spinner that can cause trouble to Indian batsmen on slow tracks

Players to watch:

Virat Kohli: Virat Kohli is in form of his life and loves to bat when challenged. He has been master of run chase for India in last few years and can demoralize any bowling attack with his masterful strokeplay. His exquisite cover drives and deft touches towards mid-wicket region are pleasing to watch. His praise to Mohammed Amir was appreciated by the neighbor’s whole heartedly. If Virat Kohli gets in the mood, then there is no bowler in the world that can stop him from scoring runs.

Jasprit Bumrah: This youngster is among the most talked cricketers in the world right now. His perfection with bowling Yorkers is an ability that needs lot of courage in the modern game. For an Indian bowler, Bumrah has lot of variations which makes it difficult for the batsmen to judge. He has a mean Yorker and varied bouncers which can trouble Pakistan batsmen.

Mohammed Amir: Amir may have made comeback to international cricket few weeks ago but he has already made a huge buzz with some of the great spells in Asia Cup and in their opening World Cup game against Bangladesh. Mohammed Amir’s rhythmic inswing deliveries and quick bouncer can stun any batsman. His spell against India in the Asia Cup remains fresh in the minds of the teams. It will be interesting to see how he bowls today.

Shoaib Malik: Malik’s comeback to the T20 side has surely made Pakistan team look better. His experience and technique holds key to their success. He is someone who provides strength and stability to the batting order. Malik can mold himself according to the situation and pace his innings to perfection with a mix of singles and big shots. Besides being the main stay of batting, Malik bowls useful off spinners when required and is still considered among the best Pakistan fielders.

Emotions: With ever growing passion for the game in both the countries and the hype created by the media from both the nations, this could well be another thrilling match between India and Pakistan which could test the emotions of individuals. Indo-Pak cricket has always been more than just a game of cricket which creates high intensity drama and involves high emotions from people of different walks of life. The passion both the nations share is unmatchable as compared to other nations.

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