Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Dhoni cuts off Sangas favourite region
The Indian seamers,particularly Zaheer Khan,bowled superb lines to the Sri Lankan batsmen during the first two powerplays. The fielding,particularly that of a rejuvenated Yuvraj Singh at backward point,was of the highest standard. What also kept the run flow in check was MS Dhoni8217;s field placement,usually 6-3 favouring the off side. Against Kumar Sangakkara,a fluent driver through the off side,Dhoni stationed a short cover,an extra cover on the 30-yard circle and a sweeper on the cover point boundary. The Sri Lankan skipper played a number of eye-catching cover drives during his innings,but usually found one of the fielders kept there for that strokeand scored only seven runs in that area against the seamers.
Touch players come to the party
The pitch at the Wankhede stadium,with its pace and carry,was the perfect platform for a batsman like Mahela Jayawardene. The Sri Lankan vice captain didn8217;t have to change his natural touch game one bit,since the wicket let him play late and use the pace of the Indian bowlers. In most other wickets at this World Cup,he couldn8217;t have done this with so much ease,especially once the ball became older and softer. Jayawardene8217;s most profitable shot was the late cut or dab behind point. When third man came into the circle for the powerplay,Jayawardene improvised by getting underneath the ball and slicing it over the fielder. In all,he scored 40 of his 103 runs,and eight of his 13 fours,behind square on the off side. Thilan Samaraweera,a similar batsman in many ways,picked up both his boundaries in that region during his brief stay at the crease.
All,he scored 40 of his 103 runs,and eight of his 13 fours,behind square on the off side.
