The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash didn’t live up to expectations as Virat Kohli’s side cruised to an easy 124-run win (via D/L/S method) at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Sunday.
Here is a look at three moments which turned the match in India’s favour.
JADEJA’S BIG HIT
Ravindra Jadeja proved once again why he is considered to be one of the best fielders in the world with a brilliant pick-up and throw on the run to dismiss Shoaib Malik.
Jadeja’s run-out came about at a crucial time when Malik was reviving Pakistan’s hopes by having a go at the Indian bowlers. Having hit two fours and a six, Pakistan were making a bold bid for the stiff asking rate (10 an over) by collecting 22 runs from two overs.
However, Jadeja pulled a rabbit out of his hat to derail Pakistan. He had earlier plucked a Babar Azam slash off Umesh Yadav at point to lift the Indian spirits after a series of misfields had allowed Pakistan to fight back.
Jadeja’s left arm was not just in use for the catch and the run-out but also for spin bowling, picking up two wickets. Not for nothing, he is also known as the ‘Rockstar’.
HASAN’S BLUNDER
Pacer Hasan Ali was having a good match until the 39th over of India’s innings to have bowling figures of 6-0-21-0.
It was also a phase when Pakistan had tied down the Indian batsmen but that’s when Hasan let it slip fielding at long off. He failed to latch on to a Yuvraj Singh mis-hit off leg-spinner Shadab Khan.
The left-handed batsman had scored just eight then with the Indian total 204-2. It proved to be a very costly miss because Yuvraj smashed 53 off 32 balls and by the time he got out LBW to Hasan in the 47th over, the Indians had managed 285 runs on the board.
AMIR’S BREAKDOWN
There was no doubting Mohammad Amir’s ability in the game as the left-arm pacer had kept the Indians on a tight leash. But when he was needed the most in the slog overs, he developed cramps and had to limp out failing to complete his ninth over, going out with figures of 8.1-1-32-0.
Mohammad Amir was not able to complete his spell due to cramp [Getty Images]
It meant Pakistan were without their best bowler in the death overs with the Indian batsmen threatening to cut loose. And boy did they capitalise on his absence as they smashed 81 runs in the remaining 4.5 overs.
When Amir left the field in the 44th over, India were 243-2 and eventually ended up on 319-3 in 48 overs.
Pakistan suffered a double blow when their other left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz, who had stepped up to complete Amir’s overs, too had to leave the field in the 46th over due to an ankle injury. He did not take any further part in the game and did not even come out to bat.
It meant that Pakistan had to rely on a spinner, Imad Wasim, to complete the final over. Never to let such an opportunity go by, the Indians bludgeoned 23 runs from Wasim’s over to complete the carnage.