The format of the game which has moved people dramatically is back to one of its biggest stages. This has been the only ICC tournament which has had 4 different champions. The Asians giants were crowned champions for the first two tournaments followed by the English. Currently the West Indies are the defending champions with some exciting talent under their belt including the like of Gayle, bravo and pollard.
What more can a cricket fan ask for than an India vs Pakistan contest to begin the main rounds? Be it politically or on the cricket field, India and Pakistan have shared an eventful relationship. More often than not, an India vs Pakistan game has a nail biting finish. With all the hype and pressure of the social media and high expectations of the fans, every India vs Pakistan game is no less than a ‘final’ for the players and this game promises to be no different. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both the teams.
INDIA
TEAM: With an average performance in the Asia cup 2014, India were forced to make some changes. This squad now looks like a very well balanced one with a seemingly perfect mix of young talent and experience. The return of key players like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj and Raina to the team has given the weak looking Indian middle order, stability. In the bowling department, the spinners will have to share the responsibility. The spinning trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra are expected to complement the sub continental conditions of Bangladesh.
GAME CHANGERS: The player, who would top this list, for us, would be a re-vitalized MS Dhoni whose performance, both with the bat and as captain, has always been crucial for the team. You cannot miss out on chase master Virat Kohli while talking about game changers. This young guy has matured with every game and helped India chase impossible looking targets on many occasions.
All rounders Yuvraj and Jadeja form an integral part of the team. Jadeja has shown great form and improvement in both the departments while we will be seeing a determined Yuvi who will be trying to cement his place in the side, making this aggressive batsman even more dangerous. Also, Amit Mishra could be Dhoni’s secret weapon as he has performed impressively in every match he has played for India and would be difficult to play on the spinning tracks of Bangladesh.
FORM AND STRATERGY- W L L W W:
This is the form meter which shows that India have won 3 out of their last 5 T20 internationals. But, India’s current overseas form has not been impressive and India has only played 5 T20 internationals since 2012. Also, after winning the inaugural T20 World Cup, India have put up a dismal show in the T20 World Cups that followed.
India boast of a very strong batting line up and a phenomenal winning record chasing. Thus, I feel that if MS Dhoni wins the toss, he will look to bowl first. I hope he gets more games than he has in the past.
PAKISTAN
TEAM: This is a very young side, which, as a team, lacks experience at the international level. A lot will depend on the experience of players like Hafeez, Afridi, Shoaib Malik in the batting department and Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal in the Bowling department.
GAME CHANGERS: Considering the current form and potential of the Pakistani players, Shahid Afridi is the most in form and dangerous player. Afridi, almost single- handedly guided Pakistan into the finals of the Asia Cup. Thus, his fitness is of utmost importance for the Pakistan camp. After being appointed as the captain, Mohammad Hafeez would become all the more dangerous as he likes to lead from the front. He is an attacking batsmen and a miserly bowler.
Young Umar Akmal also has a lot of potential. If he fires, he could blow any opposition away. One could not miss out on Saeed Ajmal, who is regarded as the best off- spinner of the world today. Like in any game, his 4 overs will be crucial for Pakistan even in this game. Young left-arm pacer, Junaid Khan has had a nag to perform well against India. He could rattle the Indian batting with his pace.
FORM AND STRATERGY- W W W L L:
Interestingly, like India, Pakistan has also won 3 of its 5 matches. But they are in very good form. They were the runners up of the Asia Cup. Also, Pakistan has had a very impressive run in the T20 World Cup. They were the Semi finalists in 2010 and 2012, Finalists in 2007 and 2009, and emerged as winners in 2009. They have not been efficient chasers, but, the fierce bowling line-up and the fact that India has not performed well batting first in the recent past will encourage Hafeez to bat first if he wins the toss.
Whose Favor Are The Odds In?
So, one has to say that going by statistics, Pakistan have a better chance of winning. But it is still difficult to predict exactly because of the format in which every ball bowled is destined to craft a new story. Only when the game unfolds on 21st march can one say which team did well. Looking forward for another exciting game.
-Cricket Analysis Wing
What more can a cricket fan ask for than an India vs Pakistan contest to begin the main rounds? Be it politically or on the cricket field, India and Pakistan have shared an eventful relationship. More often than not, an India vs Pakistan game has a nail biting finish. With all the hype and pressure of the social media and high expectations of the fans, every India vs Pakistan game is no less than a ‘final’ for the players and this game promises to be no different. Here is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both the teams.
INDIA
TEAM: With an average performance in the Asia cup 2014, India were forced to make some changes. This squad now looks like a very well balanced one with a seemingly perfect mix of young talent and experience. The return of key players like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj and Raina to the team has given the weak looking Indian middle order, stability. In the bowling department, the spinners will have to share the responsibility. The spinning trio of Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra are expected to complement the sub continental conditions of Bangladesh.
GAME CHANGERS: The player, who would top this list, for us, would be a re-vitalized MS Dhoni whose performance, both with the bat and as captain, has always been crucial for the team. You cannot miss out on chase master Virat Kohli while talking about game changers. This young guy has matured with every game and helped India chase impossible looking targets on many occasions.
All rounders Yuvraj and Jadeja form an integral part of the team. Jadeja has shown great form and improvement in both the departments while we will be seeing a determined Yuvi who will be trying to cement his place in the side, making this aggressive batsman even more dangerous. Also, Amit Mishra could be Dhoni’s secret weapon as he has performed impressively in every match he has played for India and would be difficult to play on the spinning tracks of Bangladesh.
FORM AND STRATERGY- W L L W W:
This is the form meter which shows that India have won 3 out of their last 5 T20 internationals. But, India’s current overseas form has not been impressive and India has only played 5 T20 internationals since 2012. Also, after winning the inaugural T20 World Cup, India have put up a dismal show in the T20 World Cups that followed.
India boast of a very strong batting line up and a phenomenal winning record chasing. Thus, I feel that if MS Dhoni wins the toss, he will look to bowl first. I hope he gets more games than he has in the past.
PAKISTAN
TEAM: This is a very young side, which, as a team, lacks experience at the international level. A lot will depend on the experience of players like Hafeez, Afridi, Shoaib Malik in the batting department and Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal in the Bowling department.
GAME CHANGERS: Considering the current form and potential of the Pakistani players, Shahid Afridi is the most in form and dangerous player. Afridi, almost single- handedly guided Pakistan into the finals of the Asia Cup. Thus, his fitness is of utmost importance for the Pakistan camp. After being appointed as the captain, Mohammad Hafeez would become all the more dangerous as he likes to lead from the front. He is an attacking batsmen and a miserly bowler.
Young Umar Akmal also has a lot of potential. If he fires, he could blow any opposition away. One could not miss out on Saeed Ajmal, who is regarded as the best off- spinner of the world today. Like in any game, his 4 overs will be crucial for Pakistan even in this game. Young left-arm pacer, Junaid Khan has had a nag to perform well against India. He could rattle the Indian batting with his pace.
FORM AND STRATERGY- W W W L L:
Interestingly, like India, Pakistan has also won 3 of its 5 matches. But they are in very good form. They were the runners up of the Asia Cup. Also, Pakistan has had a very impressive run in the T20 World Cup. They were the Semi finalists in 2010 and 2012, Finalists in 2007 and 2009, and emerged as winners in 2009. They have not been efficient chasers, but, the fierce bowling line-up and the fact that India has not performed well batting first in the recent past will encourage Hafeez to bat first if he wins the toss.
Whose Favor Are The Odds In?
So, one has to say that going by statistics, Pakistan have a better chance of winning. But it is still difficult to predict exactly because of the format in which every ball bowled is destined to craft a new story. Only when the game unfolds on 21st march can one say which team did well. Looking forward for another exciting game.
-Cricket Analysis Wing