In the end, it was worth the wait for fans of the Indian cricket team. A one-day match that stretched into two days due to rain in Colombo gave the Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team an opportunity to test their mettle against the world’s No. 2 ODI side Pakistan. And they checked all the right boxes. The Super 4 clash between India and Pakistan has always been heralded as the ‘Big One’. The special status of the India-Pakistan match can be gauged from the fact that it was the only Super 4 match of the Asia Cup 2023 to be given a reserve day. Although controversial, this move allowed fans to watch a full ODI match between India and Pakistan over two days.
The Indian cricket team set a huge target of 357 runs for Pakistan. The Babar Azam-led team could only manage 128 runs.
India had some key takeaways from the match:
First, after the India vs Pakistan match, it can be said with certainty that KL Rahul’s position as the number 4 batsman is safe. Rahul played an international match after a long break and stepped up with the team under pressure. He scored a brilliant century and was involved in a record-breaking tie with Virat Kohli. he also kept the wickets. With this innings, Rahul has silenced his opponents.
Second, The form of Kuldeep Yadav. India need a bowler who can give them the breakthroughs in the middle overs. The Chinese bowler proved that he is the answer to the problem by spinning a web around the Pakistani batsmen. He finished with a five-wicket haul on a delivery where the pacers initially seemed to have the upper hand.
Thirdly, the form of India’s top hitters. Sachin Tendulkar summed up this point beautifully on Monday in a post in have scored points at different stages of the 2 matches. Well played! Keep up the good work,” he wrote. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill reaching stylish half-centuries on Sunday, the Indian top order will feel more confident going forward.
Fourth,and most importantly, Virat Kohli’s form. The master batsman hit his 47th ODI century and absolutely ruled over the Pakistani bowlers. He remained unbeaten on 122* off 94 balls. If India are to do well at the Asia Cup and then the Cricket World Cup, Kohli’s form will be crucial. He is a great competitive player and he has proven that again.
India still needs to do well in the remaining matches of the Asia Cup. But the signs are positive.
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