The result was quite predictable. It was not tough to read the outcome in advance even though sometimes upsets can happen. Had India lost to Pakistan I would have reckoned it as an upset. But this Pakistan team simply did not have the resolve to fight and made some basic errors that cost the team heavily.
Pakistan was not a good side in the match mainly because India played their cards well. MS Dhoni won a good toss, elected to bat in a very positive start and then the batting might of India finished off the opposition with a target that needed Pakistan to be at their best. In the end, it was not to be.
I was very happy to see Shikhar Dhawan regain his form and confidence. He batted the only way he can: with aggression and freedom, and scored the only way he can: on either side of the wicket. After Australia who exploited his weakness during the Test and tri-series off his back, Shikhar was back to his ways. This was a new game and it was very important for Shikhar to get a flying start. In the process,India also got a flying start to the tournament.
Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina delivered the knockout punch with sensational batting. Virat took up the challenge and responded in the expected way. His dominating performance inspired the dressing room and Raina grabbed the chance to make his presence felt too with a timely reminder of his potential. Their knocks carried India to safe heights.
Raina did good work in the middle order and Virat once again confirmed his status as the best batsman in the business. India showed splendid purpose by building the innings in a steady manner, four-five runs an over for some time and then increasing the pace to put pressure on the Pakistan bowlers.
Pakistan did well in the final overs but damage had been done. I was impressed with the way Sohail Khan responded. His five wickets were hard-earned and he was the most outstanding Pakistan bowler and not just because of his haul. He had the measure of the situation but lacked support. When Virat and Raina were belting the bowlers a total of 320 looked possible but 300 proved enough.
I fail to understand the move to promote Younus Khan as an opener. It was an ill-advised step because you sacrificed a middle-order batsman to occupy a specialist position. In contrast, Misbah-ul-Haq stuck to his spot and his style too, batting with lot of responsibility even as the target kept slipping away. Pakistan was served well by opener Ahmed Shehzad.
A good development was Mohammad Shami’s performance on World Cup debut. Mohit Sharma was quite encouraging and it will gladden the team management to see R. Ashwin get the line that an off-spinner desires. It was also heartening to see India’s overall fielding backing the bowlers. I conclude by saying that India looked a champion side all the way.