Dhoni's shadow looms large over the final Ind-Pak ODI
Date: January 6, 2012
Start time: 1200 (0630 GMT)
Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, New Delhi
How much will India miss Dhoni?
With Pakistan going 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series, the last game is little more than a chance for team India to salvage some pride, or an opportunity to field players who haven’t featured so far (Ajinkya Rahane comes to mind immediately). The Feroz Shah Kotla pitch is bound to throw up a few surprises and only tomorrow will we find out who it benefits – the bowlers or batsmen. The Indian cricket team is going through one of their worst slumps ever and tomorrow’s victory may only prove to be a morale-booster, if nothing else, for this beleaguered side. Pakistan, on the other hand, must be elated at having defeated India in their own backyard for the first time since 2005. Despite so many internal rifts between the PCB and the players, Pakistan have fielded one of the best sides they’ve had in a long time, with both batsmen and bowlers firing on all cylinders.
India
FORM: LLWWW
With reports of M.S. Dhoni’s injury just coming in, it seems doubtful that he will feature tomorrow. India will most certainly miss their captain, who has been the linchpin of the Indian batting line up, which has been collapsing, pardon the cliché, like a house of cards. It looks like Dinesh Karthik will be replacing him as the team’s wicket-keeper. It will be interesting to see who captains the side if Dhoni is unavailable. With Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag woefully out of form, there is a strong possibility that one of them will be dropped in lieu of Ajinkya Rahane, who will certainly feel he has done more than enough to warrant a place in the side. The more likely candidate to be dropped is Sehwag, who has been abysmal and has done little to contribute to the team’s cause. In this case, Gambhir will most probably be appointed captain, although there is a chance Virat Kohli too could be given a taste of captaincy.
Pakistan
FORM: WWLWL
Pakistan will be brimming with confidence as after a long time, the entire team has clicked and performed above expectations. The fast bowling pair of Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan have been more than formidable throughout the India tour and have been ably supported by the ever-dangerous and unpredictable Saeed Ajmal. The batsmen too seem to have found form with Nasir Jamshed, Mohammed Hafeez and Shoaib Malik treating the Indian bowling with disdain. They will definitely want to go for the kill and with no injury worries, they will almost definitely field the same side as the last ODI.
India
Virat Kohli
Despite an uncharacteristically poor run of form, one can never rule out Kohli as on his day, he can prove to be one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world. If he manages to play out a few overs and regains his touch, it will be very difficult for the Pakistani bowlers to stop him.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
India’s latest swing sensation is having quite a series. From taking three wickets on his T20 debut to conceding 46 runs in the next match; from taking a wicket on his first ever ODI delivery to giving away 28 runs in his first 4 overs in the next game, Kumar’s first few games have been eventful to say the least. However, the youngster has shown great promise and can prove to be very dangerous if he settles into his rhythm early in the game, something the Pakistani batsmen will have to ensure does not happen.
Special mention: Ishant Sharma, simply for the intent he has shown ever since he has come back into the squad.
Pakistan
Nasir Jamshed has been in brilliant form against India in this series, getting back-to-back hundreds
The Pakistani opener has truly been a thorn in the side of the Indian bowling attack, scoring back-to-back centuries, making a mockery of the bowlers. Confident, calm and technically sound, Jamshed could very well be the future of the Pakistani batting. At just 23 years of age, he can only get better with time.
Junaid Khan
The Pakistani pacer has been near-unplayable, having picked up 7 wickets in the last two games, bedazzling the Indian batsmen with his vicious swing and pace. He shares a great partnership with the gigantic Mohammad Irfan, which brings back memories of the glory days of the Waqar-Wasim combination. He is another Pakistani with a promising future.
Special mention: Shoaib Malik, a player whose love affair with India extends beyond his wife Sania Mirza, as he manages to bring out his best performances against India.
India has won 10 out of the 16 ODIs played at Feroz Shah Kotla. India have faced Pakistan only once at this venue, and Pakistan won that game by 159 runs in 2005.
The last time India suffered a clean sweep loss at home was way back in 1983-84 against the West Indies.
The last batsman to score back-to-back centuries against India in India was TM Dilshan in 2009.