India’s World Cup campaign was back firmly on track after a blockbuster batting display on a beauty of a surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Asked to bat first, India put their best foot forward, allaying the doubts that crept in after the implosion against South Africa in their first match of the Super Eights.
The Zimbabwean camp was so worried about dew, which was eventually not a factor, that they took the high-risk option of putting India in. Sanju Samson, playing in place of Rinku Singh, achieved what he was picked for. The mere presence of a right-handed batsman at the top of the order was enough to persuade Zimbabwe not to use their offspinner early.
It was Murphy’s Law in reverse for India as everything they attempted worked a charm. The openers put on 48, a refreshing change from the single-digit first-wicket stands that have been the norm in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma, who has been the cynosure of all eyes from the time this tournament began, finally allowed himself the leeway to stay still and calm. From being anxious, he transferred the pressure onto the opposition by doing what he does best. In the match against South Africa Abhishek chased after everything and attempted to hit the ball too hard and too far.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were not at their best and Abhishek capitalised, allowing the ball to come to him, keeping his head still and holding his shape when he played his shots. On the day there was no attempt to over-hit and, as if by magic, the clean swing returned. Even without attempting anything outrageous, Abhishek got to his maiden half-century in this World Cup off only 26 balls.
The first mistake he made would also be his last as Abhishek (55) holed out to Sikandar Raza off Tinotenda Maposa. By then, though, India were well under way, with 150 on the board in only the 13th over.
If Ishan Kishan had done his bit in protecting the partnership with Abhishek, Suryakumar Yadav provided the impetus in the lower order, ensuring that India did not lose momentum. Surya aimed for impact rather than volume and his 13-ball 33 kept Zimbabwe firmly on the back foot.
India course corrected by moving Hardik Pandya up to No. 5. In earlier games Pandya was held back but it steadily became apparent that he was being underutilised. In clutch games you want your most experienced players in key roles and Pandya underscored his value to this line-up with an unbeaten 23-ball 50. Tilak Varma, who has been firmly ensconced at No. 3 so far, joined India’s growing ranks of finishers clattering 44 off only 16 balls. Tilak did not look to muscle the ball, instead using angles cleverly, coaxing the ball into gaps in the field.
India finished on 256 for 4 from 20 overs and the match as a contest was done and dusted there. As good as Zimbabwe have been in this tournament, they do not have the firepower to hunt down a target of that magnitude against a quality bowling attack such as India’s even on a good batting surface.
Brian Bennett batted through the innings, reaching 97, but Zimbabwe were never in touch with the required run rate. At 9pm there were 28,247 paying spectators at the ground — and many more who were lucky enough to receive complimentary passes — who watched India dominate, just as they have in the months leading up to the World Cup. Zimbabwe fell short by 72 runs, but the margin was not particularly important as India still need to beat West Indies in their final match of the Super Eights to qualify for the semifinals. Just as the South Africa loss did not make India a bad team overnight, this win against Zimbabwe does not mean that the West Indies game was a mere formality.
It was, however, the warning that India had hoped to sound much earlier in the tournament. When they play in this manner, getting tactical calls right and backing their methods, this team is a tough one to beat. All that is left now is to treat this as a stepping stone and play with freedom and fearlessness in the knowledge that their best is more than enough.
BRIEF SCORES:
India 256/4 (Abhishek 55 off 30, Hardik 50* off 23, Tilak 44 off 16) beat Zimbabwe 184/6 (Bennett 97* off 59; Arshdeep 3/24) by 72 runs
The Zimbabwean camp was so worried about dew, which was eventually not a factor, that they took the high-risk option of putting India in. Sanju Samson, playing in place of Rinku Singh, achieved what he was picked for. The mere presence of a right-handed batsman at the top of the order was enough to persuade Zimbabwe not to use their offspinner early.
It was Murphy’s Law in reverse for India as everything they attempted worked a charm. The openers put on 48, a refreshing change from the single-digit first-wicket stands that have been the norm in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma, who has been the cynosure of all eyes from the time this tournament began, finally allowed himself the leeway to stay still and calm. From being anxious, he transferred the pressure onto the opposition by doing what he does best. In the match against South Africa Abhishek chased after everything and attempted to hit the ball too hard and too far.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers were not at their best and Abhishek capitalised, allowing the ball to come to him, keeping his head still and holding his shape when he played his shots. On the day there was no attempt to over-hit and, as if by magic, the clean swing returned. Even without attempting anything outrageous, Abhishek got to his maiden half-century in this World Cup off only 26 balls.
The first mistake he made would also be his last as Abhishek (55) holed out to Sikandar Raza off Tinotenda Maposa. By then, though, India were well under way, with 150 on the board in only the 13th over.
If Ishan Kishan had done his bit in protecting the partnership with Abhishek, Suryakumar Yadav provided the impetus in the lower order, ensuring that India did not lose momentum. Surya aimed for impact rather than volume and his 13-ball 33 kept Zimbabwe firmly on the back foot.
India course corrected by moving Hardik Pandya up to No. 5. In earlier games Pandya was held back but it steadily became apparent that he was being underutilised. In clutch games you want your most experienced players in key roles and Pandya underscored his value to this line-up with an unbeaten 23-ball 50. Tilak Varma, who has been firmly ensconced at No. 3 so far, joined India’s growing ranks of finishers clattering 44 off only 16 balls. Tilak did not look to muscle the ball, instead using angles cleverly, coaxing the ball into gaps in the field.
India finished on 256 for 4 from 20 overs and the match as a contest was done and dusted there. As good as Zimbabwe have been in this tournament, they do not have the firepower to hunt down a target of that magnitude against a quality bowling attack such as India’s even on a good batting surface.
Brian Bennett batted through the innings, reaching 97, but Zimbabwe were never in touch with the required run rate. At 9pm there were 28,247 paying spectators at the ground — and many more who were lucky enough to receive complimentary passes — who watched India dominate, just as they have in the months leading up to the World Cup. Zimbabwe fell short by 72 runs, but the margin was not particularly important as India still need to beat West Indies in their final match of the Super Eights to qualify for the semifinals. Just as the South Africa loss did not make India a bad team overnight, this win against Zimbabwe does not mean that the West Indies game was a mere formality.
It was, however, the warning that India had hoped to sound much earlier in the tournament. When they play in this manner, getting tactical calls right and backing their methods, this team is a tough one to beat. All that is left now is to treat this as a stepping stone and play with freedom and fearlessness in the knowledge that their best is more than enough.
BRIEF SCORES:
India 256/4 (Abhishek 55 off 30, Hardik 50* off 23, Tilak 44 off 16) beat Zimbabwe 184/6 (Bennett 97* off 59; Arshdeep 3/24) by 72 runs
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