IND vs PAK, World Cup 2023 Highlights: Fifties from Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer guide India to 7-wicket win against Pakistan

We started well. Good partnership between me and Imam. We wanted to play normal cricket (me and Rizwan). Suddenly we had a collapse and didn't finish well. The way we started, wanted to target 280-290. With the new ball we are not upto the mark. The way Rohit is playing - he played an outstanding innings.

It felt good. Usually you try to analyse the wicket as soon as possible. We realised the wicket is on the slower side so we wanted to bowl hard lengths. We were trying to make it as difficult as possible. (On how he reads pitches quickly and understands what lengths work) Just being aware I guess. I used to ask a lot of questions when I was young and that helps me now. Now I'm experienced. In my younger days they (seniors) were used to being troubled by me sometimes (with questions), but it helps to read the wicket and try different options. (On the slower ball to get rid of Rizwan) We were bowling in the middle overs and I saw Jaddu's ball was turning, not too much but a little bit. I count my slower ball as a spinner's slower ball, one of those days where it came off. (On the ball that got Shadab) Little phase where there was reverse swing, one of the occasions when the white ball was reverse swinging.

Well, it is what it is. India smashed Pakistan here there are no two ways about it. The big crowd here was reminiscent of the MCG game we had in October last year but the game did not deliver the same standards as it did then. Pakistan started the game well but as it went on they slowly started to become the Pakistan of old. India on the other hand apart from the Babar-Rizwan partnership in the first innings always looked in control. Rohit Sharma in the second innings absolutely took the bowling apart. Shreyas Iyer struggled a bit initially as he went on he spent some time getting to his fluent best. Now it is three in three for India and two in one for Pakistan. 

When Shardul Thakur’s face flashed on the big screen before the game, a gentle murmur rippled through the crowd. From then on, the game knotted into one question: In the absence of R Ashwin, what would be the plan of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in the middle overs on a slightly sluggish pitch, which was going to determine the fate of the game?

It crystallised on the second ball of Jadeja’s first over when the umpire upheld a stirring lbw appeal that Mohammad Rizwan had it reversed through DRS. The main aim, almost the sole target for the majority, of the Indian spinners was the lbw trap against Pakistan batsmen on a slightly sluggish track. None of the jazz about teasing flight and loop; no real attempt to get the short cover fielder involved for a mistimed drive with a vicious dipping ball; no need for the slip fielder to check his vision and hand-eye coordination for a reflex catch from a ripping turner. (read more from our senior writer Sriram Veera)

It was not more than a year ago that Rohit took charge of India in the 2022 Asia Cup as full-time captain. Though he had won the trophy in 2018, he was not the regular skipper then. In 2022, the pressure on his shoulders was visible. His on-field persona during some of the games raised a few questions about his temperament and handling of youngsters in the side.

However, Rohit got better at the job the longer he did it. There was a stark difference in his body language in the T20 World Cup later in 2022 in Australia where he seemed a lot calmer and jovial. He was a lot more astute tactically too. He also started to become more ruthless and made calls based on his gut feeling.

Today he looked like the captain who captains Mumbai Indians. 

This game will give the Indians a massive NRR boost something which will be equivalent to another win not that India might need that cushion in the future the way things have been going for them but it is better to be safe. It will also put a massive dent for Pakistan and it will be hard for them to recover from this. 

84.21 - India (19-16-3)
77.27 - N Zealand (22-17-5)
70.00 - Australia (20-14-6)
64.71 - Pakistan (17-11-6)
57.89 - England (19-11-8)
52.63 - S Africa (19-10-8-1)

Rahul Pandey: For all the exquisite boundaries he'd laced this outing with, Rohit Sharma's power knock comes to an end off one of the ugliest plays from the day. Shaheen Shah Afridi drops down the pace to 134 KPH, and the Indian skipper - looking to loft it over mid wicket - is forced into a one-handed drive to meet the length ball. An audible gasp rings around the venue which was eagerly awaiting an 8th ODI World Cup hundred from India's serial run scorer in the competition. Not to be today, but he's certainly dialling it back to the 2019 self.

Pakistan quite literally giving a helping hand to India here. The bowling hasn't been great but first Shaheen Afridi and now Imam-ul-Haq dragging the ball along with them to the fence off misfields for boundaries. When it's not your day...

Well, that's the end of innings for Rohit Sharma. Shaheen Shah Afridi's slower one does the trick while the right-hander tried to race through his 100 he mistimed one on what seemed like a dreamy innings till that point. Nevertheless a captain innings from the Indian skipper leading the way from the front and assuring two points for his side.

Some Pakistan commentators during the Asia Cup were of the opinion that Shadab’s not playing red-ball cricket in domestic cricket or international cricket has affected his ability to bowl long spells. He played his last red-ball game in 2020 against England in Manchester.

In the T20 World Cup last year in Australia, he got the job done in the middle overs by bowling tightly and picking wickets. However, bowling four overs in a shorter game where the batters are constantly looking for boundaries is quite different from bowling a 10-over spell where the intention of batters is to rotate strike-through middle overs and capitalise on looseners.

England not only raised the bar in ODI cricket when they won the World Cup in 2019 but also set the template for the modern white-ball game.

For a long time, India continued to play the traditional way. Since Rohit has taken over, he has been talking about playing an attacking brand of cricket throughout the innings. He has not only talked the talk but is also walking the walk. He has looked to attack the bowlers in the first 10 overs of the innings. In ODIs this year, he is striking at 111.41 at an average of 81.33 in the Powerplays.

#INDvsPAK #CWC23

Hold the pose ??

How good has Rohit Sharma been today? ??https://t.co/VMHIZ0dPnZ pic.twitter.com/CzRUSXdk5Z

— Express Sports (@IExpressSports) October 14, 2023

On a roll & how! ? ?

2?nd successive FIFTY-plus score for captain Rohit Sharma! ? ?#TeamIndia inching closer to 100 ? ?

Follow the match ?? https://t.co/H8cOEm3quc#CWC23 | #INDvPAK | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/TehJbmEhrt

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2023

It has been a brilliant knock from the Indian skipper. He played a stunning innings anything which was loose he punished them putting immense pressure on the Pakistan bowlers. This game has been taken away from Pakistan in the Powerplay itself. The visitors will be looking at their line-ups and looking where are their Rohit kind of players in their squad who can take the game away from oppostion.

Rahul Pandey: "Jaha bhi jata hu log Kohli-Kohli bolte hai," Haris Rauf had conceded when he met the Indian batter in Sri Lanka last month. A straight-batted-standstill six down the ground followed by a swat flick over deep square leg. Both in a run chase written and directed by Kohli in the last India-Pakistan world cup meeting would be reminded again and again to the fierce pacer.

In Ahmedabad, it's Rohit Sharma who has a couple of his own pickings for diary entries. A length ball picked from outside off stump with minimal footwork - stretch the midriff - to clear the long on boundary. The next one is even better. No footwork, again. Rauf has pitched it full and wider of the off stump. The Indian skipper nitpicks a cover drive from his arsenal and lofts it to perfection for a second maximum of the over. It may have been a delivery subject to a boundary, but definitely not to as  easy-looking a maximum as Rohit claimed off it. Poor Rauf may have a confession for the Indian skipper for their next meeting.

? Milestone Alert ?

3?0?0? ODI Sixes & Going Strong ? ?

Rohit Sharma ? Another Landmark

Follow the match ?? https://t.co/H8cOEm3quc#CWC23 | #TeamIndia | #INDvPAK | #MeninBlue pic.twitter.com/fjrq0AQFyF

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 14, 2023

It is against the run of play Kohli departs trying to hit a good length delivery over a long-on fielder inside the ring he could not get the middle of the bat and was caught by the fielder. Hasan Ali would be smiling finally as he took some pasting initially with the new ball but now with the wicket his confident will increase.

It has been a partnership dominated by Rohit Sharma. He is looking in some touch today he is smashing the ball all around the park. He had talked about attacking cricket prior to the tournament and now he is walking the talk. Pakistan bowlers are now shell-shocked seems like this contest is only going to end in one way.

Rahul Pandey: The exhibition of textbook shots continues. Shaheen Shah Afridi offers a red-hot Rohit Sharma with a short ball. You know what happens next! 'Tuck' comes the sound as the Indian skipper pulls it 10 rows behind the deep square leg boundary. The pyros are on and Virat Kohli shows his appreciation with a tap on the shoulders of his batting partner. Major flexing this from the duo.

Vinayakk: At the end of 7 overs, India have raced to 54/1. And 46 of those runs have come in boundaries. (10 fours and a six)

Rahul Pandey: There was some high praise showered by Sachin Tendulkar for the Babar Azam cover drive. Out comes the Virat Kohli version. Wide and full from Afridi coming round the wicket and Virat meets it with appropriate punishment. It's a shot that he'd nicked behind one too many times during his infamous slump. On this lifeless surface though, the risk involved is significantly less. The press forward is elongated and he even pauses for the cameras on the follow through. That'll be on the covers, alright (pun intended).

They have turned in numbers to see that and here they have it. The master of cover drive Kohli unleashes one of his best drives against Shaheen. It was a joy for the fans as the ball made contact with the bat the sound is bliss to any cricket lover. Rohit at the other end is trying to be aggressive like he did against Afghanistan in the previous game and some shots are working and some are not very much because of the slowness of the surface. 

Just a reminder on Virat Kohli's numbers against Pakistan. Kohli has stellar numbers in 15 ODIs against Pakistan (Runs: 662, Avg: 55.17, SR: 100.6). All of his fifties (2) and hundreds (3) versus this opponent have come in winning causes where he averages an incredible 104.3.

There's the first wicket it was a wide delivery outside the off-stump and the runs were there for the taking however, Gill got a bit of top edge and hence the ball flew in the air and Shadab took a catch at the point. He looked good while he stayed at the crease which is a good thing for the Indians going forward in the tournament. 

Sandip G: Dengue? Fever? Tiredness? Whatever doubts lingered on Shubman Gill’s touch in his comeback, whether he is fully fit or not, whether he should play or not, he dispelled all those doubts with the first ball he faced. Shaheen Afridi hit a good length, striving to make the ball seam away. Gill just leant into a glorious drive and the ball hustled towards the ropes. What dengue? What tiredness?

Rohit and Shubman went after Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Asia Cup and it has set a template since then if they start attacking him he is yet to find a counter for it. The surface is not helping Shaheen. The ball is coming nicely on to the bat we might see a proper. Usually, the ball swings a bit nicely under the lights but today it isn't.  thrashing today looks like Pakistan has missed the trick by not playing an extra spinner today as the surface is on the slower side. After 2 overs IND 18/0

I have been enjoying the World Cup. I knew where to bowl on this pitch. Difficult wicket to bowl on to be honest, it's on the slower side. They (Pakistan) were not trying too much, so kept it wicket to wicket varying my pace. First seven overs we didn't give too much width, they were not trying to do much. Rizwan didn't sweep me, I was hoping to make him play a bad shot. I have been watching him (Shakeel) sweep a lot or the paddle, so I was trying to keep it wicket to wicket. Luckily I got him. Unbelievable (to play in front of a large crowd). Very excited before this game, the atmosphere was crazy. Just enjoyed bowling.

Rahul Pandey: 191 on the board. Does Pakistan stand a chance? The last captain to get his hands on the World Cup trophy reckons so. For the men in green to take two points from here, Eoin Morgan knows their new ball messiah will have to fire on all cylinders. 

"Shaheen Shah Afridi loves the big stage. He hasn't bowled great so far in the tournament, Pakistan will need him today," Morgan says on Sky Sports.

At one stage, Pakistan were 155/2 just around the 30-over mark. And then it began... 

3-155 (Babar Azam)
4-162 (Saud Shakeel)
5-166 (Iftikhar Ahmed)
6-168 (Mohammad Rizwan)
7-171 (Shadab Khan)
8-187 (Mohammad Nawaz)
9-187 (Hasan Ali)
10-191 (Haris Rauf)

It has been a collective team effort for India. They have bowled exceptionally well today apart from the partnership between Rizwan and Babar Pakistan's batting has had nothing to offer. Only in their last game have they made over 340 and today here we are. It is not the easiest wickets to bat on but it has been a poor batting effort as well. Rohit Sharma's bowling changes have worked well on the day and he must be given credit for his captaincy the way he rotated his fields and bowlers' excellent performance from the Indians today. Stay with us for all the action from the second innings.

Wickets have been falling in quick succession from 155-2 to now the Pakistan batters have completely lost the momentum and seem like they are shell-shocked. It looks like it is all India's game now. The wicket is on the slower side as well and Pakistan's spinners are not some of the best in the tournament either. 

Pratyush Raj: A leg cutter that’s released like an outswinger. Bowlers usually cut their fingers across the seam to get that seaming-cut away but the smiling assassin Bumrah kills it in his own method. 

L Balaji, former India swing bowler and a coach now, explains to this newspaper how Bumrah does it. 

“It’s his back-spin at release that makes it deadlier. It’s what makes the seam of the ball hold up so perfectly for most of the trajectory. When Bumrah does it, the balls don’t wobble in the air too early. The seam is so upright and only then the ball will seam or swing late in the air and beat the batsman’s plans about what the ball is about to do. Pace and full length, yes but that seam has to be upright for it to deviate late. 

“If it wasn’t for that back-spin, the seam of the ball would start wobbling early due to aerodynamic drag, as we call it. Put simply, the ball will fall limply without that much venom. The backspin allows the ball to cut through the air that much quicker with a proud seam and that’s what beats the fast bat-speed of even the good batsmen.” And hence, the ball travels like a seam-up delivery, and yet manages to cut away without any finger-across-seam involvement. 

We have seen it on a flat Delhi wicket, where he got rid of Ibrahim Zadran, and pulled off a Marcus Rashford celebration (Actually Stanislas Wawrinka). Today it was Shadab and Rizwan. Can we call it a black cotton magic (the soil used  in both Delhi and Ahmedabad)

Rohit has been exceptional as captain today. Field setting, bowling changes superb #IndiaVsPakistan

— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) October 14, 2023

.@Jaspritbumrah93 getting those crucial wickets in the middle over! The crowd's on their feet, wickets tumbling for Pakistan. #CWC23 #IndvPak

— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) October 14, 2023

Rahul Pandey: One thought Bumrah can't get it any better than that dismissal of Rizwan. Hold my beer, says Bumrah as in the very next over bowls Shadab Khan with an unplayable delivery. If Wasim Akram is watching this, he would be reminded of the two deliveries he sent down in the 1992 World Cup final at the MCG. This one to Shadab was angling in before it moved the other way to take the off-stump. You need extreme luck to survive such deliveries. There is nothing the batsman could have done about it.

Rahul Pandey: Two wickets in quick succession? What more could India have wanted? A third? Surely Mohammad Rizwan, who's been trying to hold the innings together since Babar's departure. India's premium pacer loves taking those big wickets and this is certainly the biggest he could've on the day. Pakistan's highest run scorers at this World Cup, undone by an off breaker that turned viciously off the deck. A proper ripper and in converged the rest of Indian XI to celebrate alongside Bumrah, who'd made Marcus Rashford trend earlier this week. He may have forgotten to repeat the winger's celebration this time but all thanks to Suryakumar Yadav, Manchester United fans have something to take their minds off football. Much needed.

(Screengrab ICC)

Vinayakk: Jasprit Bumrah's slower ball dismissals is a collection worth preserving. The one to Shaun Marsh, the one to Ollie Robinson, a few already since his comeback recently, and this latest one to Rizwan – an absolute ripper of an off-cutter.

Sandip G: The moment the ball pinged the pads of Saud Shakeel, Kuldeep Yadav appealed vociferously, backpedalling and pleading at the umpire. The umpire was unmoved. But Kuldeep would not settle for anything but a review. The wicket-keeper KL Rahul was only mildly interested. But Kuldeep was so confident that Rohit Sharma had no other option but to seek the review. It turned out to be an inspired decision as the ball-tracker showed three red dots. It seemed like his slider, one that slid into Shakeel’s pads after pitching. He then bowled a horrendous short ball—it looked like a ruse, drawing Iftikhar Ahmed into a false sense of complacency—that was thundered to the ropes. But on his last ball, he slipped in a wrong’un that Ahmed did not pick off his hands. He unfurled a sweep, his one-stop stroke when he is confused, and ended up gloving the ball onto the stumps.

Marais Erasmus not raising his finger left the Indians unsure. Even on the naked eye, Saud Shakeel had looked a goner. Kuldeep Yadav had managed to make him fall back in his crease with enough flight on the ball. Looking to crunch the ball away onto mid wicket, the southpaw had missed the trajectory entirely and let the ball thud his back pad.

Erasmus stood like a statue. KL Rahul wasn't entirely sure. Rohit went for the review anyways and was proven right with the ball tracker showcasing it crashing in the middle of middle and leg stump. A clenching of the teeth followed by a fist pump and the blue at Motera popped out.

Kuldeep gets his first of the day. Followed by quick second. This is all Iftikhar Ahmed though. A back of the hand googly tossed that wouldn't have bothered the leg stump but Iftikhar's glove off a sweep shot deflects it onto it. Two wickets in the over and Pakistan will be feeling the heat now.

It is falling apart for Pakistan now. It was the change of pace from Jasprit Bumrah the off-cutter snaked its way to hit the off-stump of Rizwan who seemed to be surprised by the delivery. Massive wicket that for the Indians and Rizwan can be a dangerous batter on his day. 

Tushar Bhaduri: The wickets of Saud Shakeel and the bemused Iftikhar Ahmed, bowled round his legs, were deserved reward for Kuldeep Yadav’s excellent spell. What the left-arm wrist-spinner has lost in terms of degree of spin, he has gained in accuracy. Eight overs for 31, with two wickets during the middle overs while bowling to quality batsmen, confirms his status as a vital member of India’s bowling attack. Much has been said about the speed at which he now bowls, which makes it difficult for batsmen to hit him out of the park. His control over liner and length, not always seen in wrist-spinners, gives Rohit Sharma control over proceedings, while not compromising on wicket-taking threat.

Venkata Krishna B: What is making Kuldeep Yadav effective than the rest of India attack is the pace at which he has been delivering. He is mostly operating in the mid-80 kmphs, which helps the ball to grip a bit. That he is bowling more in the line of the stumps is also forcing Pakistan batsmen to be more careful against him. Remember they don't play him often and it can still remain challenging to pick him off the hand. When he started off today, Jadeja too was slower through the air, especially in the first over. But after that he has been touching the late 90 kmph. Kuldeep, on the other hand, has stuck to being slower through the air. He gets reward for it by getting two wickets in the same over. India, now well and truly on top.

Saud Shakeel falls for a low score. Kuldeep traps the batter in front of the wicket. The decision was initially not given out however, it was a smart review from Rohit which showed it was out. The ball pitched on the leg-stump and turned sharply to hit the off-stump. The ball is turning now for Kuldeep Yadav.

Rahul Pandey: Babar Azam looked in dismay as his off stump lay distributed behind. Just when India would've been looking to bring Shardul Thakur in the fray, Mohammed Siraj does what the former is known for. A crucial wicket in the middle overs against the run of play. No alien movement on that as opposed to the cross seamer that did Abduallah Shafique. "It's just a straight delivery and Babar - looking to hit behind - has completely missed it." Perhaps it was the pace that did him. It definitely skidded much more than the previous deliveries had and before the Pak skipper could open the face of his bat, it had cleaned him up.

Babar Azam departs it has been that sort of day for Mohammed Siraj. The ball was kept a tad bit low as Babar tried to cut the ball. The one side of the ball is clearly scuffed up here and we may see a slight bit of reverse swing here soon. It is a massive wicket for India as the partnership has slowly started to change gears as well. Rohit has been magnificent with his bowling changes so far he has been proactive and gave the bowlers a short burst. After 30.4 overs PAK 157/3

Venkata Krishna B: After that earlier DRS call where Mohammad Rizwan was able to overturn the LBW decision, another one now raises eyebrows. In the first one it looked as if Jadeja's delivery would at least be clipping the leg stump. But it ended up missing altogether. Now, as India went for the review after Kuldeep Yadav's appeal for LBW was turned down, for the naked eye it appeared as if the ball would be missing the stumps..but the ball tracking shows it would have hit part of the stump. Had the umpire given it out, it would have stood. During Australia's match against South Africa, Steve Smith was adjudged LBW by DRS that surprised everyone including the umpire.

Tushar Bhaduri: Ravindra Jadeja is taken so much for granted that it’s on the rare occasion when he is taken for runs that he attracts attention. Even when he is not running through sides, he keeps a tight lid on proceedings, which often results in wickets at the other end. And contrary to popular opinion, he doesn’t need a helpful pitch to leave an impact on the game. Seven overs for 29, when all indications point towards a high-scoring contest, is an invaluable contribution. Keeping batsmen of the quality of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, when there’s not much assistance from the surface, proves the skill of the left-arm spinner.

Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan are showing their class to the Ahmedabad crowd. It has been a lovely partnership so far. It is not a 330 sort of wicket because of the addition of black soil to the pitch which is usually made of red soil. The luck too seems to favour the Pakistan batters at the minute as Babar has gotten away from a few close calls. Rizwan on the other end has been consistent coming into the tournament and is continuing his good form today. After absorbing the initial pressure the Pakistan players seem to settle nicely into the game. After 28 overs PAK 144/2 

?Scan Confirmed finger fracture of Kane Williamson. Likely to be out of the tournament.?

Very unfortunate?#Blackcaps #KaneWilliamson #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/zh6wRYz2m4

— Green Shirts ??? (@CorneredTigers1) October 14, 2023

Tushar Bhaduri: Fine margins decide matters in cricket – especially when teams are of roughly equal standard. Mohammad Rizwan, fresh from a match-winning hundred in Pakistan’s record-breaking successful chase against Sri Lanka a few days ago, managed to get an LBW verdict overturned on review in Ravindra Jadeja first over, when he was fresh at the crease. There wasn’t much in it, the ball-tracker predicting that the delivery would have just missed leg-stump. It was the 14th over and if Pakistan would have gone three down, the momentum would have shifted totally towards India. But as it turned out, the reprieve was followed by a succession of productive overs for Rizwan and Babar Azam.

Sandip G: Shardul Thakur had just offered a bit of room for Babar Azam to free his arms. So he did, essaying a regal cover-drive on the rise. It delighted one of the finest executioners of the stroke, Sachin Tendulkar, making a guest-appearance in the commentary box. “Look at the new extension of the arms, lovely,” he said. He then dwelled on an often unseen aspect of the stroke. “Everyone talks of the top hand when cover-driving”.The high-elbow winking at the skies and all. “But the bottom hand plays an equally important role. Look how it goes in the direction of the ball. Beautiful.” he said.

Venkata Krishna B: Very little has been spoken about how far KL Rahul has evolved into a wicketkeeper. Nothing illustrates it more than his foot movement behind the stumps. Since coming back from the quadriceps injury which can be very tough on wicketkeepers, Rahul doesn't crouch the old school way against the seamers. He is mostly squatting that gives more time to move with the line of the ball. That said, while keeping to spinners, he has shown exceptional reflexes and has become a very trusted voice behind the stumps.

Thakur has been brought into the attack for the first time in the game it is the 17th over of the innings and Rohit has opted to bring him this late. It will be interesting to see how Shardul will operate today the wicket is a touch on the slower side. Shardul has a knack for picking wickets regularly. Also, Rohit tends to be hesitant in using Shardul despite being one of the five bowlers and uses Ashwin differently when Shardul is playing Rohit tends to give more overs to someone like Hardik Pandya ahead of Shardul. It is important that Shardul does start well today. After 16.3 overs PAK 90/2

Rahul Pandey: There was pin drop silence around the colossus venue in the initial overs as the Pakistan openers found those boundaries. Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya remove the two and the venue is back to expected decibel levels. 

Mohammad Rizwan - player of the match in the record chase against Sri Lanka - decided to take his time before settling in. Has a slow buildup into facing that first ball. India captain Rohit Sharma isn't amused. Just as he has a word with the umpire, Virat Kohli has a look at his imaginary watch. Finally, Pandya gets to bowl. A regulation stand-still defence from Rizwan and Kohli steams in with a footy go at the stumps. The crowd joins in on the fun. 

In the next over, Rizwan shuts down a jubilant Ahmedabad crowd and their protagonists who had deemed him out lbw. As had the umpire. A successful review later, it's back to being silent again. That's more like the India-Pakistan chemistry/chaos one watches these contests for.

Rahul Pandey: Did you spot? A quick kit change for Virat Kohli. During the powerplay, the Indian talismanic scorer would induce suspicions among those watching as he left the playing field for the dugout. He'd worn the wrong India jersey for the start of the game. While the men in blue did have all three of their adidas stripes in white ahead of the world cup, they've transitioned to a tricolour theme for the tournament. Good for the former skipper, he was back in time - and wearing the correct kit - as he celebrated the first Pakistan wicket with Mohammed Siraj. (Photo: ICC/Nirmal Harindran)

Sandip G: Taking a cue from England’s bowlers who bounced out Babar Azam a few times in their tour to Pakistan last season, Hardik Pandya too resorted to the method. The ploy caught Babar unawares at times. He dealt uncomfortably with a couple of them. But then the method became too predictable and Pandya had not the pace or the pitch the slipperiness to make bouncer a difficult tool. Babar would Azam the short-balls with glee and pulled him twice, either side of the deep backward square leg. The first was but a dexterous roll of the wrists, the second more of a whip.

The second wicket is down for Pakistan. Imam tries to drive the ball outside the off-stump and gets the outside edge for KL Rahul to take a simple catch. There was a lack of foot moment from the Pakistan opener as he drove that ball. Hardik is pumped up and he was giving a send-off to the opener. He is bowling well here and is notching up the pace to 140. Rizwan has walked into the middle. Babar and Rizwan are two of the experienced campaigners today. After 13 overs PAK 74/2

Tushar Bhaduri: He has bowled only a couple of overs, but Hardik Pandya, whether by intent or otherwise, seems to be bowling short a bit too much. He has cranked up his speed of late, but after a point the tactic loses its surprise value. Babar Azam was greeted by a fair few balls dug into the pitch. The Pakistan skipper managed to pull a few down to the sweeper for singles, before getting back-to-back boundaries, one a long way in front of square, and the next to the fine-leg fence. Babar has been short of runs of late, and in the Indians’ defence, they may have thought of the short-ball ploy as a means to harass him further.