In this match, the pressure is on Pakistan as they are coming off a loss to Sri Lanka, while India have a win against Bangladesh to bolster their spirits. India can qualify for the final with a win against Pakistan.
Taking stock from the previous match, our seam bowlers (can't call them fast bowlers) hold no threat to any opposition, it seems. And there are no reserves to replace them, either.
Gambhir was more consistent when he had to fight for his place. Given the good form he has been in, in recent times, his conversion rate has been less than commensurate. Also, he has had a penchant for running himself out when there was no danger of a bowler dismissing him. That said, he came good against Bangladesh.
Maybe it's the T20 effect, but we haven't seen a long partnership in limited overs cricket between Sehwag and Gambhir for some time, now.
Though Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn't get too many runs, they are both in reasonable nick, and with Dhoni and Raina to follow, India's batting has great depth. But expect the Pakistan fast bowlers (they are fast) to aim for Raina's ribs, rather than the stumps.
India's continued reliance on Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra and the disastrous showing in Zimbabwe speak more eloquently about the state of the game in India than anything else.
Pakistan's story is literally the opposite. They have been producing wicket taking bowlers with regularity, but don't have a settled opening pair. In fact, there has been so much tinkering in their batting line given the sacking of seniors and the failures of juniors, names such as Imran Farhat, Shazaib Hasan and Umar Amin are entirely unknown, outside of Pakistan. Yet, these are the top order. Pakistan's batting is completely unpredictable and they can stage amazing recoveries and amazing collapses with equal aplomb. Coming to the bowling, Akhtar made a great comeback against SL. Asif is always a threat, and Aamer is arguably the best young fast bowler discovered in recent times. Hopefully, he won't fade away like Ishant Sharma. The fact that Saeed Ajmal, a world class spinner doesn't find a place points to the usefulness of the likes of Afridi and Malik (if he isn't called for chucking), in the bowling line up.
So how will this fascinating match between a good batting team against a good bowling side end? My prediction: the team that bats first will win.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Suresh_Iyer/640103
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