ICC Champions Trophy: 5 things we learnt from Virat Kohli and co's win over B'desh
Birmingham: In a great show of strength, India overcame a challenging target of 265 set by Bangladesh, to book their spot in the ICC Champions Trophy final for the second successive time.
One more step, and they will successfully defend their title. The Indian cricketers have been on incredible form throughout the tournament, barring one group game against Sri Lanka, in which they suffered their only defeat so far.
The victory over Bangladesh at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground, in Birmingham, on Thursday served as a reminder of the depth of the Indian side, as they steamrolled their less fancied neighbours.
Here are a few takeaways from India’s thumping victory over Bangladesh.
Indian bowlers unable to sustain pressure for long periods
Although the Indian bowlers did well to restrict Bangladesh to 264-7, they were struggling at one point, when Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim steadied the Bangladesh ship, and built a 123-run partnership for the third wicket.
At this point, Bangladesh looked poised for a big total, one that perhaps could have exceeded the 300-run mark. While India managed to rein things back, they ensured that their bowlers maintained pressure on the opposition batters throughout the innings, and not let them off after picking up a couple of early wickets.
Street-smart Kedar Jadhav can make the difference
While the regular bowlers toiled in the middle overs as Tamim and Mustafizur smashed them around the park, the wickets came from a rather unlikely source for India – Kedar Jadhav.
Interestingly, Jadhav removed both Tamim and Mustafizur, both of whom had stabilised the innings, and looked set for a big score. The 32-year-old had been included in the side as a batsman, but he showed on Thursday that there is more than just one dimension to his game.
Inconsistent Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has been one of the most promising cricketers from India over the last year. His abilities with both bat and ball has helped impart a lot of balance to Team India, especially in limited overs cricket.
Inconsistency though, is something that can be greatly punished, especially in international cricket. Thursday’s match is certainly that Pandya would like to forget, as he was thrashed all around the park by the Bangladeshi batsmen, as he went for as many as 34 runs from just four overs at an appalling economy rate of 8.50.
However, Pandya is someone who could contribute with the bat, on a day when he seems to be off form with the ball, something that will always count as a point in his favour.
Jasprit Bumrah’s effectiveness an asset to Team India
Bumrah has been relentlessly accurate with the ball this season, both in the Indian Premier League, and in the Champions Trophy. The ace death bowler has certainly picked up a few things while bowling in the nets with Sri Lanka great Lasith Malinga at Mumbai Indians.
The 23-year-old was instrumental again in the Bangladesh game, as he ended with miserly figures of 2-39 from his quota of 10 overs. Bumrah’s spell ensured that the Bangladesh innings was under India’s control, and that they finished with a total that could be scaled easily the Indian batters.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan: Setting the pace for Virat Kohli and co
Both the Team India openers have been instrumental in the Champions Trophy so far. In fact, the duo have consistently given the Indian middle order steady starts, allowing the middle order to come in and launch into the attack, with wickets in hand.
While they have played a cautious game in the initial overs, both Rohit and Dhawan have played the big shots and scored the big runs, something that has helped India a lot in their four Champions Trophy matches so far.
