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Over a day after that shambles of a final for India, the time is ripe for retrospection. India were marginal favourites heading into the clash against Pakistan at the Oval on Sunday (June 18), as far as form, pedigree and logic were concerned. But there was the lingering feeling that Pakistan were the dark horses this tournament, having found a second wind from somewhere. The result, therefore, wasn’t entirely surprising. What was surprising, however, was the manner how it came about. India were dismantled, systemically and ruthlessly, in a manner that will take some recovery – Pakistan coasted past the finish line by a mammoth 180 runs.
This doesn’t necessarily mean India aren’t as good as they are perceived to be. They had an off day. To make it to the finals of a global tournament in itself is a stirring achievement. Just ask England – the outright favourites ahead of the tournament and a quality side, but unable to make the step up on this occasion. Also Read: Anil Kumble steps down as Team India’s coach
There are plenty of positives India can take away from the tournament – the top-order is as strong as ever, with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma reaffirming their status, with KL Rahul injured, as India’s go-to option at the top in this format. Virat Kohli did perform in England – although questions will remain till he does in Tests – scoring three sizeable half-centuries in five matches. And the bowling duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah gelled spectacularly for the most part, and it bodes well for the future.
Then there were the less tangible features, including the mature relationship between Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kohli, former and current captain respectively, Kedar Jadhav’s increasing status as a wicket-taking option, and Hardik Pandya impressing in all departments. Also Check: India vs Windies: Virat Kohli and Co. off to Caribbean after Champions Trophy
It seems there are plenty of positives, only prompting the question why it didn’t all come together when it mattered most? It is tempting to wonder what might have been had Bumrah not overstepped when he had Fakhar Khan caught behind when the opener was on just three. Fakhar had begun his walk but stopped short when the on-field umpires asked the TV umpire to confirm the no-ball. As the replay on the giant screen revealed Bumrah’s indiscretion, Zaman’s face struggled to contain a smile of relief, even as Bumrah’s face contorted in disappointment. He had done well until that point to set up Zaman, sticking to a leg stump line before suddenly springing on him one outside off, prompting the edge. All efforts wasted.
Thereafter, Bumrah lost the plot. He was expensive, didn’t always bowl to the field, and ended up with figures of 0 for 68 in nine overs, an economy rate of 7.55. It should be kept in mind that Bumrah is still finding his feet at international level, and this was possibly the biggest occasion he has played in. In terms of pressure situations, an Indian Premier League final doesn’t have anything on an India-Pakistan clash in the final of a major global trophy. Bumrah will, and must, take from this match what he can and move forward.
To be fair, it wasn’t just Bumrah who was struggling. R Ashwin was nothing like the devastating force he is in Test cricket, bowling a defensive line, hoping to contain rather than take wickets at a time when India were desperate for breakthroughs. Ravindra Jadeja had an off day as well, his eight overs going for 68 wicket-less runs. Only Bhuvneshwar and Pandya had decent stints with the ball, but when three out of five bowlers are leaking runs – there were 13 wides and three no-balls to add to it all – there is only ever going to be one result. Once Pakistan posted 338, it was always an unlikely chase for India. Also Read: Rahul Dravid seeks clarity on MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singhs’ future before 2019 World Cup
Needless to say, Kohli wasn’t best pleased with the freebies the Indian bowlers handed out. “Never a good feeling to concede so many (extras),” he said. “That is something that we need to keep a check on. You know, those things are something that are controllable. A guy hitting a good shot is something that after a stage is not in your control, you’ve already bowled the ball. But conceding extras is something that we can control as a team, 25 extras is a bit too much in a game like that, and that’s something that we certainly need to take care of in the future.”
There is the school of thought that preaches batting first in a big final, so as to put the pressure of the scoreboard on the opposition – not many heads nodded in agreement when Kohli decided to bowl first after winning the toss. And later, as if to exacerbate India’s already uphill task, the batsmen failed to build partnerships and chip away – the most basic lesson in constructing a chase. Pandya’s exhilarating 43-ball 76 was the only saving grace in disastrous innings. A lot of that had to do with Mohammad Amir’s excellent spell, which yielded the wickets of the top three and brought back memories of Wasim Akram in his pomp.
Afterwards, Kohli did what was the right thing to do – he applauded a fine team for a fine performance. “It’s always a bad feeling when you get out or the batting doesn’t work collectively, and everyone feels bad about not having contributed to the team in any way,” said the Indian captain. “But you know, you’ve played enough to understand that your job is done, you tried your best, and then you can’t control anything afterwards. In the end, you have to accept and admire sometimes the skill of the opposition as well. Not that we are not playing at our best; we tried our level best, but we just couldn’t make things happen today. But personally, yes, it does feel bad. But you have to understand that you can only control so many things and the game has to move on from there on, so that’s the kind of thinking I have when these things happen.”
Pakistan were the better team on the day, India were below par. And with this being a pre-cursor to the 2019 World Cup, again in England, India will know there are tweaks to be considered, even if this side did take the team to the final of a difficult tournament.
But as Kohli implied, one bad loss doesn’t mean panic stations.
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