India’s final ODI series ahead of the Champions Trophy panned out as a “run-fest”. With an excess of 300 runs being scored in every innings, the batsman made merry while the bowlers wilted under the onslaught.
Despite England winnings the final ODI at Kolkata, India walked away as deserving winners. For England though, it was a case of not driving home the advantage when the opportunity presented itself.
In the first ODI, after having posted 350, they had India at 63/4. Thereafter, there were beaten hollow by Virat Kohli’s and Kedar Jadhav. At Cuttack, they rode on the back of Eoin Morgan’s brilliant hundred and even fancied their chances until India shut the door on them right in the end.
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Had Morgan’s men won these key moments, the series outcome could well have looked different.
As for India, there were positives aplenty in Virat Kohli’s first series as the captain of India’s ODI side.
#5 The Yuvraj Singh of old
The return of Yuvraj Singh has certainly strengthened the India middle-order. With his experience in International cricket and his ability to tear apart any bowling attack, an in-form Yuvraj Singh will be an irresistible pick for India in limited-overs cricket.
Despite his match-winning 150 runs at Cuttack, it sill remains to be seen if “Yuvi” will able to provide the same consistency and confidence through the long season ahead. The lively English pitches will have more bounce and carry. Needless to say, he will be tested.
That said, Yuvraj’s hundred was a delight to watch.
The flowing drive and flamboyant pull-shot is back and the prospect that Yuvraj Singh might roll back the years is the most exciting flavour of the season.
#4 The MS Dhoni we all knew
The doubters had plenty to say after MS Dhoni failed in the first ODI at Pune. There were plenty of questions – is he still good enough? Does he still have the hunger? Can we see the Dhoni we all knew and loved?
In typical fashion, Dhoni let his willow do all the talking and in one remarkable show of batsmanship, answered all of his critics. He drove, flicked, pushed and ran like the man who once enchanted all of us with his charm as a young, long-haired man.
His 134 runs at Cuttack were are good as any that he might have scored in his illustrious career. There is no doubt now that he will be India’s wicket-keeper batsman to deliver the goods in the Champions Trophy.
#3 All-rounders come to the fore
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja were a revelation in the series.
Pandya shone with the bat through the series with scores of 40*,19* and 56. With the ball in hand, he offered plenty to this captain as well while returning figures of 2/46 and 3/49 in the ODIs at Pune and Kolkata.
As for Ravindra Jadeja, he continues to prove his worth for the side with his lightning fast fielding efforts and contributions with the ball and bat at key moments of the game. His figures of 1/50 in the first ODI were the best amongst the Indian bowlers. In the second ODI, a quick fire 16 was followed by a tight spell of 1/45. At Koltaka, he was amongst the wickets again with 2/62.
In England, Pandya’s seamers will surely come in handy while Ravindra Jadeja will continue to lend variety with the ball. As for their batting abilities, Pandya is now clearly being groomed as the new “finisher” and Jadeja can be someone who could strike it big when the situation demands.
#2 Virat Kohli leads by example
As a leader, Virat Kohli continues to lead by example. Unlike many of his predecessors who were too scared to lose, India’s new ODI skipper is fearless.
His confidence is rubbing on to his teammates. Virat's body language is often a good indicator of India's fortune on the field. Even while defending or chasing big scores, his expression is like any of us – delight at the fall of a wicket and frustration over every bad ball bowled.
Like a kid in a candy store, he runs all over the field motivating the players.
More importantly, it was good to see him taking advice from Dhoni when required. He has a more practical approach and therefore, fields a different team every time according to the conditions.
He believes in catering to the need of the hour unlike playing a fixed winning combination.This demands that all the players deliver more than 100% at all times and in doing so, make things a little more comfortable for the team management.
Looking back at the past 5 months, I can safely say that Virat Kohli has all the qualities of a great captain.
#1 Kedhar Jadhav’s emergence
Kedar Jadhav is a self-taught, street smart cricketer. Every outing of his was highly exciting to watch.
He has a great ability to fight till the end and change his game according to the required situation. This is a great tenet that he brings to the table and his abilities with bat only add tremendous value to India’s middle-order.
While he now appears a certainty for India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy, his lack of exposure to the English playing conditions will test him. That said, it is time for us to rise and applaud the heartwarming performances from this diminutive dynamite.
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