ICC Champions Trophy 2013: Five things India need to learn from the first two games

It’s never easy for any international team to come into a cricket tourney with a lot of off-field baggage. The Indian national team has had to dig deep in its reserves of patience and poise in order to focus on a competition which is into its final edition. So far, they have managed to keep their concentration on the game and have secured a spot in the semi-finals by winning both their matches. While it is a remarkable beginning, there are a few areas which need to be looked at in order for the team to make winning a consistent habit. Here are some of the things which India should address:

1. Untested middle order

Suresh Raina needs to learn to deal with the short stuff

Openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have been rock-solid at the top, sharing two century partnerships that have set the platform for the eventual victories. While they are to be applauded for their consistent showing, India would do well to realize that the middle order hasn’t been untested yet, except in the game against South Africa. The likes of Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja will have to step up and contribute more. While Jadeja has done well with both bat and ball, Raina remains a weak link for his side. He needs to come out of the IPL mode and learn to play the short ball properly; despite his statements to the press, the southpaw is still not comfortable with the short-pitched stuff. You cannot take skipper MS Dhoni for granted every time he walks out to bat. Every little contribution helps in reaching a higher total or bringing down the required run rate while chasing.