Do nerves affect Indian and Pakistan players?

I very much doubt that Pakistan players are calm during a world cup encounter against Indians. Be it ODI or T20, Pakistan players take it too emotionally and it reflects on their performance. The talented bunch in the form of the Akmal brothers, Shoaib Malik, Hafeez, Afridi play much less than potential and look way ahead of the encounter than scenarios they would be in.

The Super 8 encounter between India and Pakistan is an example of the emotional stuff involved. Dhoni’s calm influence on the players makes it easy for Indians not only against Pakistan, but any other opponent.

1. Afridi played one too many shots to fall in the deep after a blitzkrieg (Perfect plan by Dhoni and Balaji).
2. Shoaib Malik could have drowned India, but played a horrendous shot (More of emotional thinking that he has nailed India already).
3. Kamran Akmal could have settled down. But he felt he started from where he left in the practice match encounter against Indians.
4. Poor running between the wickets, panic stricken shot making all adds up to the emotional stuff that I am talking about.

We have got to admit that an India-Pakistan encounter is war and is much more closer to heart for Pakistan players rather than Indians. Indians surely play out of their skins and skills to come out on top. But Pakistan players take it too emotionally and fail. Hence, we had a very less intensely fought match. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful weekend for Indian supporters.

Virat Kohli is in form of his life and two dropped catches ensured that he made the most of them. Sehwag is a wounded tiger, this time internally, because he did not play in the last match as he was dropped. He had a point to prove and it was written on his face that he wanted to remain not out when Indian wins. But, he sent a message that he does not want to be dropped ever again.

A target of 129 in T20 will always be a piece of cake, and not even an India Pakistan encounter could make it nail biting. Yuvraj singh hit the winning runs and ensured that he had another wonderful all round performance in his kitty. Words flew that he might have been dropped to fit Sehwag in. That would have been a blunder and Dhoni will never do that mistake. If Sehwag’s ego was hurt and it helps Indians lift their performance in the top order, I want to thank Dhoni for doing that to Sehwag.

All is not lost, my gut feel states that Indian will be there in Semi finals. South Africa are not great players of spin bowling and we need to pack our team with Bhajji also. Balaji might give way for Bhajji or another Dhoni surprise awaits us, we will wait and watch.

Go India Go!