ICC Champions Trophy 2013 Semi Final 2: India v/s SL - The Quick Flicks

Of Short Pitched Deliveries and Carrom Balls

India’s bowling plan (I’m tired of using the word strategy - best to leave it in the MBA classrooms) consisted of dishing out as much of the short stuff as they could. It made a welcome change from their usual tactic of bowling restraining lines. Fortunately, things clicked with the rising deliveries as pacer Ishant Sharma used them cleverly to conjure a Man-of-the-Match-winning performance. Ashwin re-discovered his carrom ball and used it to telling effect against the folks from the Emerald Isle (how they must have missed Ajantha Mendis!). Perhaps a plan of this sort could be used in the nets too – at least Suresh Raina might then be able to play them better instead of dancing around them!

India entered the final of the last Champions Trophy for the second time and if all goes well as it has right throughout the tournament, they may as well lift the Cup. Sri Lanka’s team, on the other hand, need to rest and re-group before embarking on their new assignment. As for me – I will keep my distance should both these teams play each other again this year. Over to Edgbaston!