From singing the national anthem, contest was India’s
This innings will be easily the best he has played when it is measured on pressure quotient as India kept their hopes alive in this contest. While others seemed to be playing on the moon, Virat seemed to be batting in his backyard. That was the difference of skill that he displayed GAUTAM GAMBHIR, former India batsman on Kohli’s dominating performance
The first contest of this game on Saturday went to India. Who sang the national anthem better? Amitabh Bachchan or Shafqat Amanat Ali? I am nothing more than a mere mortal when it comes to judging Bachchan, even if he was cooking an omelette. Here he was, at my beloved Eden Gardens, his deep voice in its full youth, loaded with grace and admiration for the anthem. Only soldiers can sing better than Bachchan did on Saturday. On the other hand, it seemed the occasion got the better of Shafqat. He looked nervous singing the Pakistan anthem. But I can understand. It is indeed challenging to sing the Pakistan anthem when you have a sea of Tricolour in the Eden stands ready to gobble you up.
If that wasn’t enough, they had the brilliant Virat Kohli waiting for them. He has already announced to the world that he is the best batsman in the world, but on Saturday he also said that he will be the batting leader to take India to greater heights in the years to come.
This innings will be easily the best he has played when it is measured on pressure quotient as India kept their hopes alive in this contest. While others seemed to be playing on the moon, Virat seemed to be batting in his backyard. That was the difference of skill that he displayed. In the end, it was befitting to see Sachin Tendulkar wave the national flag in the stands. PLAN B The real platform for the win was laid by Virat and Yuvraj Singh. It was heartening to see them play together. It takes the discipline of a gymnast for freeflowing stroke-makers like these two to curb their game. Both relied on their B-game, engaging singles and doubles.
Pakistan were a little defensive in this passage. This was enough for the dudes to switch gear. Once again, it was Virat playing the lead role. I think he hijacked the momentum by hitting 14 runs in the 11th over of the innings bowled by Shoaib Mallik.
A four and six not only galvanised the scoreboard, but also gave confidence to Yuvi on the other end. Pakistan must have been ruing not including leftarm spinner Imad Wasim on a raging turner of a pitch.
Some of the tactics by India were a little confusing. I’d have liked to see Yuvraj bowl his spin but he didn’t bowl at all. I think MS Dhoni missed a trick there and also by bowling only eight overs of spin.
It is difficult to imagine that on a pitch like this R Ashwin came out without bowling his entire quota of overs. All these aspects would get hidden under the victory gift wrap but I am sure the India think tank would be mindful of them. Well played India. Well played Virat Kohli.