India has much to lose against Pakistan in a battle of subcontinent rivals

Dhoni has lost form, now fame?

Nowadays every move India makes looks like a technique for survival. While their defensive strategy of pushing Irfan Pathan up as an opener has been highly criticized, the absurdity of playing five bowlers when most of them are out of form simply baffles.

India has played Pakistan with some distinct success in recent years. Their record against their arch rivals has also gradually improved. In the last six years, India has won 15 international matches against Pakistan, losing only eight. This is a pleasant deviation from their dismal record of yesteryears.

However, today India will be playing to save their place in the competition after having lost their first super-eight game against Australia.

Two captains, a study in contrast

The Indian captain has come under a lot of criticism for his team’s poor form. His own batting hasn’t been much of a respite. But now, even in the shortest version of the game, where he should ideally revel, Dhoni’s numbers are found to be wanting. In his international career, the wicket-keeper batsman has never managed to score a fifty. Till now, it had been overlooked largely due to his monumental presence down the order, but the veil now seems to have lifted. While his overall strike-rate of 109.58 might just be acceptable, his current form has made him even slower, making him a burden on the already struggling team.

The newly appointed skipper of Pakistan though, has been a study in contrast. Mohammed Hafeez has looked confident on the field while taking decisions and this has reflected in his form. Hafeez has gone past forty twice in his last three matches, and once in the last match when his bat did not talk much, he managed to pick up a couple of wickets. His decision of opening the bowling with the inexperienced Raza Hassan in the last match has been lauded as a mark of bold leadership.

Players to watch out for

India

Virat Kohli – It is almost like a journey back to the early nineties, when Sachin’s batting determined team’s fortunes. Virat Kohli seems to have taken up that role. While it is not a positive for Indian fans, it is certainly exciting how a single player can have such an impact on a team of eleven.

Suresh Raina – He might still be toddling in the test arena, but Raina is very much an integral part of every other version of the game. On form, he is the second most important batsman after Kohli in the team.

Harbhajan Singh – After an excellent comeback against England with a four-wicket haul, the match against Australia didn’t really go well. But Bhajji’s return should relieve many concerns for Dhoni. If he is here to stay, India will be having one of the classiest spinners of all time back in their ranks.

Pakistan

Mohammad Hafeez – The newly appointed Pakistan captain has all it takes to rule a successful side. He has shown that he can think out-of-the-box when required and with experience he will only mature.

Nasir Jamshed – The youngster is Pakistan’s answer to Virat Kohli. He hit a brilliant hundred last time the two teams met in the Asia Cup, only to be outdone by Kohli. This time things might just be different.

Saeed Ajmal – The best spinner in world cricket today, he warmed-up with a four-wicket haul against South Africa and repeated another against New Zealand in their first game of the competition. India have tasted his wrath before. They should be worried, very worried!

Trivia: Pakistan has never beaten India in any world cup match, be it ODI or T20.

Form

India: Loss, Win, Win, Loss, Win

Pakistan: Win, Win, Win, Loss, Win

Prediction

Pakistan will be a difficult opponent, but let’s not write India off.