UAE need to learn from their mistakes

The UAE’s spirited performances in the matches they have played so far should ensure that India are not taking them lightly. Despite two huge wins over two quality teams, Pakistan and South Africa, India are aware that two of their games are in New Zealand, where the conditions will not only help a bit more swing in the air, but also some movement off the pitch.

There is also the matter of the weather, which means that points could be shared, and so it is important to win by as big a margin as possible and send a message to the opposition that they had better watch out for the Indians.

There is talk that India should use the opportunity to try out some players who have not had a game so as to avoid the prospect of them playing without any match practice in the knockout stages, in the event there is an injury or illness to a regular player. Most teams, of course, prefer not to change a winning combination and India may also do that and play the same 11 that has won them such handsome victories so far. The longish gap between games also means that players have to recapture their rhythm straight away, and so the chances of any changes look remote. The UAE team comprises mainly of players from the subcontinent who have settled there and, while the batting looks good, it is in the bowling that a lack of experience and exposure at the top level has let them down. Such a lack of experience means that in tight games, as the one they had against Ireland, the skipper is struggling to get his field right.

Wrong decision