This is threatening. India still looks rusty. Many reams have been spent on qualifying the merits of the team by the media and great's of the game but I still feel there's much more than the eye's meet. Viru's acrimonious exit have thrown open many questions that one may need to deal with once back in India. This match looks difficult to predict with all honesty. On pen and paper India leads and may get in to Super 8's as group champions. But ... But... I am not sure.
All cricketing senses tell me that Ireland will crash land in this match and they may collapse as a house of cards but there determination is not allowing me to have the great comfort from these intuition’s.
India needs to put in above 180 on the board if they bat first. Raina needs to kick in at number 3, Dhoni can wait. Yuvi and Rohit are the two players who needs to fire the cylinder. Gambhir is yet to get on the board. Yuvi looks good. Rohit needs to hang in there for at least 10 overs and ensure that the runs are scored at 8-9 runs per over.
If India is chasing then the bowlers needs to do there bit. Lot rides on spinners and slower ones, for once I guess we can have more bats on the team than bowlers. However dropping Zaheer will not be a good idea. Ishant needs to keep the ball tight and Pathan needs to get his swing going.
Certain key areas India needs to focus on:
Bowling: Please stick to basics. Don't try anything great. Pitch it up to the batsman. Try to land the ball on the seam. Let the ball do the talking. Only try and put some extra pace to bounce it up to the batsman after the mandatory 6th over. Ensure that each over has atleast one dot. Avoid wides and No's (especially the front footers). Do not go negative because negative in this game means more power to the batsmen who are looking for quick runs. Try scalp atleast a wicket or two in the first 4 overs.
Fielding: Be aggressive and charge the ball. Restrict the quick two's. For sixes nothing much can be done but for fours slide and chase as much as possible.
Batting: Wait for the ball. It will seam and the air will aid. Avoid the blood rush. 50 runs in the first six can set the tempo. Do not loose quick wickets, not atleast in the first six. Loft the ball in the begining over the mid wicket, you are assured of runs there if is timed well. 180 plus is a winning score.
The Pitch: The pitch has behaved well. Lets hope it remains the same
My prediction for the match: India wins.
