Asia Cup 2014: Kohli-Rahane-Shami laid the path for India’s first win in 2014!!!

(It was Captain’s Day…Kohli got better of Rahim)

The three men, who ensured India’s six wicket win over Bangladesh, had not only dominated the game but also did it in fashion. In the first innings, Bangladesh had setup a challenging target of 280 for India in which captain Rahim scored a fighting 113runs off  117 balls and was also involved in 133 run best partnership for any wicket against India in recent times, other partner been young opener Anamul Haque who scored 77 in the partnership. Rahim’s ton was first century against India by a Bangladeshi player since 2008 (Alok Kapali had scored a century in June 2008 Asia cup). But the highlight from an Indian perspective was Shami’s e very aggression and ever improving line-length with precise control in seam positioning. He gave too little for the batsmen to work with and hence he also registered his career best figures of 4-50.

But chasing 280 was proving to be a stiff target when Dhawan-Sharma went one after other in quick succession leaving India 54 for 2 in the 13^th over and that’s when partnership between Kohli and Rahane started to build. The stand-in captain came early in the innings and started to middling the bowl from the word go. After the departure of Sharma Rahane came in and joined his skipper to consolidate a partnership. It was slow beginning for Rahane but kept hanging around other than throwing his wicket. It was the calmness of the Kohli that also gave Rahane confidence to stay onto the wicket and struggle for runs. Rahane’s last five one day innings doesn’t reflect a great show of 2, 3, 3, 36 &7.

Both constructed their respective innings in their own style of play. On one side Rahane was quiet and rotating strike were as Kohli was in punishing mood, stoking the ball off the middle of the bat and more importantly in the gap. Together they shared 213 run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (73) and Virat Kohli (136) for which he was also selected as the Man-Of-The-Match. He scored his 19^th century overall and 5^th in Bangladesh.

Hall mark of the partnership were Kohli's brilliant stroke making with precise power generating ability to put over any field setting on the other hand Ajinkya's paitence, finding gaps, conversion of singles into doubles & later on chipping over the field was the teaser. One being pure class and the other was just elegant as they come. the perfect duo partnership made India come over an embarrassing tour of New Zealand.

“It was important for someone like Ajinkya to bat through the innings. He was playing so well in New Zealand & South Africa (in test matches) and he played beautifully here too. He is very positive guy and works very hard. So it was good for us to stay together till the end.” Kohli said for Rahane.

At the post match presentation, “i always thank my dad every time I achieve something. He worked very hard to help me get where I am”.

He also said, “I am very happy with the team performed today, we bowled well today and there was an improvement in the death overs. It was good to see everyone step up in the absence of Dhoni”.

Some Facts and News during the match:

• In 9 matches when Kohli was the skipper of the team, he has scored 3 centuries and 2 half centuries including innings against Bangladesh on Wednesday.

• Whenever Kohli scores 50+ runs India’s chances of winning goes up to 75%, Meanwhile, India have won 12 out of 13 matches in which Kohli had scored century while chasing.

• Kohli becomes fast player to score 19^th century and difference is of 65 innings less than C. Gayle.

• Out of 19 centuries Kohli has scored 13 has come while chasing.

• Shami creates 25% chances of taking a wicket whereas Varun Aaron gives away a boundary in every 6.3 balls (on an average one boundary ball in each over)

• Mushifiqur Rahim was injured while fielding and was rushed to the hospital, injury doesn’t seems to be too serious tough.

• In pervious encounter with Bangladesh India lost the match and was kicked out of Asia Cup 2012 were Sachin scored his unsuccessful but important ton (100^th hundred).

Some flaws:

• Unsettled bowling attack. India’s bowling isn’t famous for taking sweat out of opposition but on a pitch were some balls were keeping low, seaming early-on in the innings bowling didn’t looked threating at all except Shami as a result team like Bangladesh was able to put-on a challenging total. My point is what happens when India finds themselves at 100 for 4 against a better bowling attack like Srilanka or Pakistan.

• With the absence of MSD, fielding looked unsorted and unenergetic. Kohli himself gave away two over-throws resulting in boundaries (later being reason for Rahim’s century).

India had won the match that good news but Virat had to look beyond what’s happening and rectify the errors. We all now he is next captain for Team India and he is still learning under guidance of MSD. He can do it. Well do Kohli & Co. and Well, GO INDIA GO!!!

On Thursday Afghanistan will face Pakistan…

Next huddle for India is Srilanka where they meet on Friday.

Till then enjoy cricket, take care and never say bye to me

#$D