Press Trust of India
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Perth, Feb 27: An in-form India would seek to increase their net run rate when they take on the inexperienced UAE in a pool B match of the cricket World Cup here Saturday at the WACA ground. India have started the tournament very well, demolishing Pakistan and South Africa by convincing margins and would look to continue their winning momentum against the minnows of the tournament.
The match will also be a chance for the off-form Rohit Sharma and skipper MS Dhoni to get back among runs. The question, however, is whether Dhoni, batting at No. 6 will promote himself up the order to prepare for tougher games once the tournament reaches its business end.
Other than the two, the batting unit has performed admirably well while the bowlers’ performances have surpassed everyone’s expectations in the first two matches. India however, will be without Mohammed Shami who is suffering from a knee injury. But that shouldn’t make much of a difference against an UAE team that has a cumulative experience of around 30 matches. Either Stuart Binny or Bhuvneshwar Kumar will play in place of Shami
While Virat Kohli, with a century and 46, is back in touch, Shikhar Dhawan has been in blazing form. Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina have also made their fair share of contribution and with four among the top six batters firing the main aim of the Indian’s will be to achieve as healthy a run rate as possible.
UAE skipper Mohammed Tauqir, at 43 years 43 days, is the second oldest cricketer in the tournament but has managed to play only seven ODIs having made his debut in 2004 against India in an Asia Cup match at Dambulla. Ironically, their oldest cricketer is former captain Khurram Khan at 43 years and 250 days.
The three pacers, left-arm Asanka Guruge and right-arm medium fast bowlers Mohammed Naveed and Amjad Javed have played less than 10 ODIs and can prove to be a cannon fodder for the likes of Dhawan, Kohli and Rahane.
