As we had informed yesterday only fear could take over the victory from the Indian team and that is what happened at the Colombo R Premadasa Stadium last night. The Australians formidably dominated the meek Indian side in all departments of the game, in the Group Two, second encounter. To sum it up all, it was pathetic performance from Team India, merciless execution from the Australians and the Indian fans smeared with gloominess. Especially watching ball by ball when your national side is crumbling and turning really meek is truly absorbing.
India won the toss and elected to bat in the rain destroyed match. Gautam Gambir and Irfan Pathan gave a good start and in between them they made 17 and 31 runs respectively. But then Virat Kohli was not his usual self and Yuvaraj Singh could not take off well. However Rohit Sharma's disaster was the worst of all. Then the performance by Suresh Raina, Captain M S Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin helped India post a meek total of 140 runs. Australian bowlers who ruined the opponents were Shane Watson who bagged three top wickets, and was aided well by Pat Cummins who managed two more.
In the follow up of the batting disaster the bowlers added their part as well by poor performance. The combined mis-match was well handled by Australians who wrapped up the score in the 15th over, staying well ahead of their opponents. The whole show was meticulously planned by Shane Watson with impeccable bowling in the first half. Followed by a stellar performance with his willow in the second half. Watson made 72 runs to claim his third Man of the Match award in the ongoing World Cup. He was aided by his opening team mate David Warner who made 63 runs.
And nothing big from the Indian bowling department as the Oz just lost a wicket before winning the match.
In the earlier match of the same group, Pakistan snatches the victory from South Africa. Batting first SA scored 133/6 while Pak made 136/8. But the irony was that after losing 7 wickets in succession for a mere 76 runs it was Kamran Akmal who rose to the occasion and made the day with his splendid unbeaten 43 runs that put the Pak team on the winning pedestal. Probably India missed an Akmal performance from Yuvvy or Rohit.... (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
