The Men in Blue are on a roll. At the start of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, even the most self-indulgent dreamer could not have imagined that opposition from around the world would crumble like dust as they have in the ongoing tournament.
Commentators have been trying to be at their imaginative best while applauding the domination of the home team. After three successive demolition jobs, including an unbelievably emphatic 243-run win over South Africa yesterday, it is amply clear that this Indian team is way ahead of the rest. And, any opposition will need more than a miracle to prevent India from winning the World Cup. It is that simple.
As the Proteas discovered in Kolkata, the Men in Blue have been playing extraordinarily well as a unit. Batting first, India scored 326 for 5 in an inning with a highlight: Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 49th ODI century, an effort with which he equalled Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Plus, Rohit Sharma scored a 24-ball 40 to ensure a brisk start, and a superb Shreyas Iyer (77) and Kohli shared a 134-run partnership, which laid the foundation of the above-par Indian score on a slow and tricky pitch. Clueless against the accurate and deadly Indian bowling attack, South Africa collapsed for 83. Jadeja testified to his all-round abilities brilliantly, first with a cameo (29 not out), followed by career-best bowling figures of 5/33.
India’s performance against South Africa is a reminder that the Men in Blue have more match-winners than anybody else. Fine overall form in batting and bowling, self-belief, hunger for wins, confidence, determination and consistency: Team India has all those qualities that must be present in any all-time great team.
Think of the ease with which India thrashed Sri Lanka in Mumbai. Batting first, India made a massive 357 for 8, which included fifties by Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88) and Shreyas Iyer (82). Mohammed Shami starred with 5/18 and, along with Mohammed Siraj (3/16), destroyed Sri Lanka. The Lankans were bowled out for 55, resulting in an Indian win by 302 runs.
Interestingly, India bowled out Sri Lanka for less than 100 in the ODIs for the third time this year — and this was also their second 300-plus-run victory against the same opposition this year. One does not expect such outcomes against any ‘major’ team often, even though the present Sri Lankan squad does not have the kind of memorable depth and quality that once made it a threat to the entire cricketing world.
As veteran Ben Stokes confessed recently, England has been terrible in this World Cup. Still, a 100-run win after scoring 229/9 on a low-scoring pitch in Lucknow was a fantastic outcome for Team India, mainly because England had been able to restrict the home team. Sharma made a brilliant 87, while Suryakumar Yadav’s 49 was crucial. The strength of the Indian bowling attack was in full display as Shami’s spell of 4/22 and Jasprit Bumrah’s 3/32 forced England to surrender with 129 on the board. A 100-run win for India did not seem like a likely outcome during the break.
India have won all their eight matches so far. After their final Group stage against the Netherlands, a formality, the Men in Blue will face the fourth-ranked team in the knockout stage in the semis. As the knockout stage comes closer, the team has emerged as the strongest contender for the title. Performing players have made it possible. Sharma has given aggressive starts and converted a few of them into big scores. Kohli has been solid and tough to dismiss. KL Rahul has been reliable with the bat and brilliant behind the stumps. Iyer has rediscovered his touch. Shubman Gill has had his moments, and his form is clearly intact. Suryakumar Yadav has played an important knock and a second cameo before throwing his wicket away in an effort to get quick runs for the team.
Master craftsman Jasprit Bumrah has been frequently unplayable, and he has strangled the opposition with his deceptive and quick bowling. Veteran Shami’s intimidating accuracy, wicket-taking ability, and the form he is in have made many wonder why Shardul Thakur was part of the playing eleven earlier. Mohammed Siraj, Bumrah’s opening partner, has troubled batsmen and picked up wickets. Kuldeep Yadav’s impeccable control and variations have been a headache for many batsmen, and his contribution has been crucial in the middle overs. Ravindra Jadeja is one of the most committed fighters in modern-day cricket. He is a world-class fielder who has scored important runs, while his bowling has been an asset for the team.
While some can argue that the team needs a sixth bowler who can also bat well — during any reference to the injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya — the fact of the matter is that this team has everything that is essential for winning the World Cup. The Men in Blue want to keep the trophy in India, an honour they thoroughly deserve.
The author, a journalist for three decades, writes on literature and pop culture. Among his books are ‘MSD: The Man, The Leader’, the bestselling biography of former Indian captain MS Dhoni, and the ‘Hall of Fame’ series of film star biographies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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