MANCHESTER: 7-0! The latest one came with an emphatic statement, inside a stadium rocking with delirious Indian fans here on Sunday.
SCORECARD | WORLD CUP SCHEDULE | POINTS TABLERohit Sharma's masterclass shone through the rain-interrupted clash as India outplayed Pakistan yet again in a World Cup game, storming to a 89-run win (DLS method) to keep their fine run in the World Cup going. Pakistan's search of their maiden World Cup victory over their arch-rivals continues.
After India put up a mammoth 336/5 batting first, Pakistan's reply was stymied by a lack of intent and a disciplined, unyielding performance in the field by the Men in Blue. After a limp start - Pakistan's score of 38/0 after 10 overs is the lowest powerplay total in this World Cup so far - Fakhar Zaman and
Babar Azam looked like taking the fight to India in a stand worth 104. But a slump where the team lost four wickets for 12 runs made it a no contest.
A light drizzle at around 6 pm stopped play for a while. When it resumed about 40 minutes later, Pakistan needed an impossible 136 off 30 balls by the D/L equation.
On the day, India were the superior team, by a mile, in every department of the game. While batting, India did not let Shikhar Dhawan's absence deter them with KL Rahul filling up more than adequately. Then, they made light of
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's sudden departure from the field after bowling only 2.4. Kumar seemed to have pulled his hamstring and took no further part in the game.
It was difficult to say who shone the brightest at the Old Trafford on Sunday - the sun which made a much-needed and welcome appearance or Rohit Sharma's strokeplay which enlivened this historic venue with its silken grace.
Answering fervent prayers of millions of fans, weather improved magically to let cricket and a result happen. Sharma complemented the altruism of the weather gods with an innings of sparkling brilliance to give India wings in the high-pressure game.
India had to guard against losing early wickets and opener Sharma and Rahul were equal to the task. They were helped by the fact that there was little movement for the seamers to exploit despite the overcast conditions.
Mohammad Amir, expected to lead Pakistan's attack, failed to make any dent in his first spell of 4-1-8-0. He bowled too short and wide to be effective. Hasan Ali was treated harshly by Sharma as he gave away 26 in his first three overs. Soon, the sun was out and with that came out Sharma's strokes.
India ease past Pakistan to make it 7-0 in World Cup
The opener, who now has two hundreds in this World Cup, gloriously pulled Ali for his first six in the sixth over of the innings to set the tone for what followed.
He did survive two run out chances. The first reprieve came when he was on 32 as Fakhar Zaman threw at the wrong end with the batsman halfway down the track while attempting a second run. In the next over,
Shadab Khan's poor throw allowed him to make his ground at the striker's end. Sharma made Pakistan pay heavily, reaching his 50 off 34 balls and his century off 85.
Rohit revived the memory of
Sachin Tendulkar's slashed six off
Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup by cutting Ali over point boundary in similar fashion.
The opening partnership of 136, India's best against Pakistan in the World Cup, gave the team a solid foundation. Skipper Kohli, a bit scrappy to begin with, soon got his legendary prowess going and his 77 (65 balls, 4x7) made sure that there was no let-up in the pressure Indian batsmen exercised over Pakistan.
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