There were worries that the eagerly awaited India-Pakistan match in New York might end in a low-scoring farce with all the commotion on the field. India came out on top after a low-scoring thriller, with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy coming to the fore. The captain of India was an unsung hero if Jasprit Bumrah’s game-changing bowling was the reason for India’s success. The captain’s incorrect call at the toss was the only thing that went wrong.
It is rare for an Indian squad to play its bitter rivals with just three specialist hitters (Rahkit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Virat Kohli), with the remaining players being all-rounders, wicketkeepers, or specialist bowlers. Undoubtedly, the same team that faced Ireland was used, but Pakistan is not Ireland. Perhaps greater batting force was required on a tricky track against a bowling attack with unrelenting fire. However, the captain had the guts to stand by his belief.
His tactical bowling decisions, rather than his batting options, were the main factor in India’s victory over Pakistan, who had previously bowled India out in a Twenty20 encounter. For 35 of the 40 overs, it seemed the Babar Azam team was in control, but the captain kept things under control on the ground. Under duress, he ensured the squad maintained composure by making thoughtful bowling adjustments. It is uncommon to defend only 119, and this accomplishment represented India’s lowest-ever total defended in Twenty20 Internationals.
The odds were stacked against India, with the sun rising behind the clouds just as Pakistan began their pursuit. When Indian bowlers entered the game, lateral movement—a benefit Shaheen Afridi & Co. had earlier in the morning in the overcast and dreary conditions—vanished. However, the Indian captain ensured that a goal of 120 felt much higher than that with a series of astute field placements and quick bowling changes.
“On that pitch, 140 would have been a really nice score, in my opinion. I assumed we had the game since India didn’t understand it. We were aware that it would be difficult, but occasionally, watching sports like that may be enjoyable. It’s not just about hitting sixes and collecting 240s and 230s. On a 120 pursuit, you can actually have a pretty fun game. Thus, in my opinion, it’s not detrimental to the game,” Pakistani coach Gary Kirsten stated.
Although he said nothing, Rohit ensured the aim was 140 rather than 120. Pakistan was obliged to pursue boundaries at one point because it was unable to rotate strikes, and this proved to be its downfall. India showed complete confidence in its performance against a pusillanimity-filled team.
Although it was obvious that the pacers would be important players on the field, Rohit could get the most out of his spinners. Axar Patel gave up just nine runs, including four dot balls, while bowling eight deliveries to the two dangerous left-handers in Pakistan’s lineup, Fakhar Zaman and Imad Wasim. Together, Jadeja and Axar claimed a wicket and an economy rate of only five runs in their four overs.
Already, many are praising Rohit for his well-timed decision to bring back Bumrah for his third over. However, recalling Axar for his second over—the fourth of the spin—in the sixteenth over turned out to be just as much of a PR stunt. Although it was anticipated that the Pakistani batters would assault Axar, he gave up just two runs in an over. Imad Wasim made three attempts to cut him, but each time, he was unable to make contact. Axar’s over could have turned the tide at that crucial point when Pakistan needed 37 runs from 30 balls with six wickets remaining. Axar’s accurate bowling and well-positioned field prevented Pakistan from getting ahead. India prevailed in that crucial over, which made Pakistani hitters take chances against tough bowlers. The very next over saw the fall of a wicket.
The contest turned around in Bumrah’s third over. The final two Bumrah overs would decide the game, as Waqar Younis had repeatedly stressed on broadcast, and his worries were realized. When Bumrah returned, it was all too evident as he struck with the opening ball. With an absolute peach of a delivery, Pakistan’s captain and innings leader, Mohammad Rizwan, was out of the game. The captain made a brilliant move, as Bumrah gave up just three runs in the over.
As if that wasn’t remarkable enough, Bumrah had a model performance in the 19th. After Rizwan’s breakthrough, Rohit was tempted to stick with his main bowler, but he kept him in reserve for the more significant 19th wicket. Bumrah took a wicket and gave up just three runs in two overs, with Pakistan needing 21 runs to win. It was as pure as gold dust. With one over remaining, Arshdeep Singh had the luxury of defending eighteen runs. There was only going to be one winner at that point, barring the improbable situation of pressure getting on the bowler. Arshdeep didn’t hesitate.
Rohit was wise in the way he read the wicket. The ball bounced well off the pitch, but the pace decreased as soon as it was thrown. In light of this, he modified his bowling style. He made accurate changes to the batting order as well. He moved Axar up the order, departing from the customary strategy of continuing with a left-right batting combination. After the openers were out of the game early (19 for 2), Axar stabilized the innings with a partnership with fellow left-hander Rishabh Pant, adding 39 runs for the third wicket.
Rohit is lucky to have players of the calibre of Pant and Hardik Pandya on his squad. Pandya made a big impact with the ball, but Pant, with a score of 42, displayed his usual bold approach. In the four overs he was given, his stats of two for 24 were rather useful. The bowling unit delivered when it counted, but Bumrah’s performance was outstanding. He rightly won the tournament’s Man of the Match award for the second time after finishing with three figures for 14 in four overs. Interestingly, he won the same prize in Ahmedabad in October 2023, when these teams last faced each other in a different format.
“We certainly left one over when we wanted to add more runs (India were all out in 19 overs for 119). After we got going, the huddle’s message was very clear: after that, what comes next? Which things do we have control over? We’ll attempt to concentrate on it rather than spreading fear. Yes, there will be occasional boundaries. During the innings break, Rohit told the players, “People might play good shots, but we’ll have to try and be composed and hold our shape,” Bumrah remarked.
Bumrah and company are fortunate to have a skipper who can get the most performance out of them. It is impossible to exaggerate the significance of captaincy in Twenty20 cricket, and Rohit demonstrated this on Sunday under the most trying circumstances against a formidable opponent.
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