The revival of the archetypal Virat Kohli in India’s T20 World Cup campaign opener in Melbourne certainly augurs well for the team. However, the euphoria over Kohli’s heroic 82 not out that earned India a fantastic win over Pakistan last Sunday may need to calm down a little bit as there’s still work to do for Rohit Sharma and the rest of the group. India get down to business again on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as they face The Netherlands in what would also be the first meeting between the two teams in T20Is.
Considering the amount of pressure the cricketers had to deal with in Sunday’s high-intensity clash that went the distance, an associate team up next is an ideal scenario for Team India before the tougher assignments ahead. Not just on paper but even skills and quality-wise, India are miles ahead of The Netherlands. But again, given the fickleness of the T20 format and with some of the other top-tier sides suffering due to rain so far in the tournament, India aren’t expected to take things for granted. “Having such high-intensity games done and dusted in the first phase itself is good. “But the discussion we always had was every game in a tournament like this is important. Every team that is a part of this tournament has worked its way up and done something good, and that’s the reason they’re out here. And we take it like that,” bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said on Wednesday.
Besides, barring that of Kohli and Hardik Pandya, India’s batting against Pakistan wasn’t really outstanding by any means. Of course, they won’t be seeing a Shaheen Shah Afridi or a Naseem Shah steaming in at the SCG. But for Rohit and his opening partner KL Rahul, who both disappointed the other night, this Group 2 contest against the likes of Bas de Leede and Paul van Meekeren is an ideal opportunity to score some runs upfront and approach the coming games in a much better frame of mind.
The manner of the opening duo’s dismissals against Pakistan would surely prick them. Rahul’s footwork against deliveries on the off-stump channel and the ones coming into him continues to be a concern. For Rohit, it’s his current form, as except for the unbeaten 46 in the rain-curtailed game against Australia in Nagpur last month, he hasn’t done anything significant.
The SCG pitch is expected to be more in favour of the batters and even if it rains on Thursday, conditions are unlikely to change drastically. So it is an opportune enough situation for Rohit and Rahul to regain some rhythm, which also is key to India’s prospects in the Cup.
Combination
India are unlikely to tinker with their XI unless any one of the players is suddenly indisposed. Pandya was suffering from cramps last Sunday, but Mhambrey assured the all-rounder is “alright”. “When you have the momentum going in a tournament, you need individuals to continue the good form and for some who haven’t got an opportunity to bat, every game becomes important. So we’re not going to rest any one,” Mhambrey stated.
