Birmingham: It is a background skipper Virat Kohli wouldn’t have ever wanted, but then now when India face Pakistan in their Champions Trophy opening encounter Sunday at Edgbaston, they will have to overcome two oppositions. The first, their arch rivals on field and the second, the ongoing controversy regarding the alleged rift between Kohli and head coach Anil Kumble.
The Indian contingent know very well that if they lose the game Sunday, the opinion poll will blame it on the ongoing ‘rift’. And if the body language of the players during Saturday’s training session is any indication, they are determined to avoid a loss at any cost.
Controversies, usually affect players in two different fashions. Either it completely demoralises them or on the other hand, it gives birth to unwavering stubbornness, where the player doesn’t want to lose at any cost. Looking at the Indian team here Saturday, it was apparent that the second syndrome has affected them. They are just praying that the game is played bereft of rain interruption… if that happens they know that they have a 90 per cent chance of beating Pakistan.
But then why the 10% go to Pakistan? Simply because cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and secondly as they have a world class pace attack in Mohammad Aamir, Wahab Riwaz and Junaid Khan. There is no doubt about the class and ability of the three and if they can get the cloud cover that the Pakistani fans desperately praying for, they can pose a lot of questions to the strong Indian batting line-up.
Curators associated with the Edgbaston pitch here assured that it will be a hard batting-friendly wicket. However, in England, more than the pitch it is the weather which plays a crucial role and India will certainly have to keep that it mind when they face their arch rivals.
The match assumes more importance because of the current cross-border tension between the two countries. Even though cricketers of both the sides have been trying their best to prove in the last couple of days that it is ‘just another match’ there is a hidden tension which has affected both the sides. Usually when players of both these sides meet before and after training sessions, there is a lot of friendly banter. But no, it is not happening this time around.
Man to man, India pack a superior punch to their Pakistan counterparts. But this game defies all logic… it is a match where nerves play a big role. In this department also, India have a slight edge as there are quite a few players who are veterans in regarding this contest.
India’s only point of contention is whether they will play Yuvraj Singh because of his experience in such encounters or whether they will field the in-form Dinesh Karthik. The way, coach Kumble and others gave throwdowns to Yuvraj, it was quite clear that Karthik is still not featuring in the plan of things. With India, not having a genuine left-arm pacer Ravindra Jadeja was asked to bowl quick to Yuvi and Kohli from 18 yards with most of the deliveries aimed at the rib cage.
With most of the Pakistanis being right-handed, India may also opt to rest Ravi Ashwin. However, a senior member of think tank was of the opinion that India may play Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the two regular pacers and keep hardik Pandya in the side as the third seamer. That will also increase the depth in batting and pave the way for both Ashwin and Jadeja to play.
Virender Sehwag, here as a commentator was quick to point out that India should play two spinners. “I am not ready to comment what the composition of the team will be… who should play and who should not. However, I feel that India should always play with two spinners, it gives you more wicket-taking options.
Pakistan can be brilliant on one day and rubbish on the other. But then in the last five ‘big ICC encounters’ India have always prevailed. In the last few years, since the two countries have stopped playing bilateral series, ICC has planned draws to make sure that this ‘cash cow’ is flogged at every meet. Sunday’s game is also no exception with all tickets sold out and black marketing at peak. Now it is time for players to take centre-stage with Pakistan certainly hoping that India’s off-field issues will give them an advantage.
Will it, only Sunday night all will know the answer.
Agencies
