ICC T20 World Cup 2016: India vs Pakistan - 5 Talking Points
Both teams line up for the national anthems on the eve of the high-voltage clashThe cricket world's eyes were transfixed at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata as arch-rivals India and Pakistan locked horns with each other. The home side needed to bring their campaign back on track after a demoralizing loss against New Zealand on a raging turner.On the other hand, Pakistan went into the match on the back of a thumping victory against Bangladesh. Beleaguered skipper Shahid Afridi looked to have recaptured his form with an all-round performance. Notwithstanding all the hype surrounding the clash, heavy rain added to the drama before things finally went underway in front a packed house. MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to insert the Pakistani batsmen on a tricky surface.What transpired later befuddled the batsmen who would have thought that they were in for a batting paradise. The Pakistani batsmen struggled and could only manage a slim total which was overhauled with considerable ease by the Indians. Another chapter was added to the fabled rivalry even as Team India maintained their unblemished World Cup streak.
#1 Eden Gardens pitch surprises everyone
After the shocking performance by the Indian batsmen on a rank turner in Nagpur, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Sourav Ganguly promised that the pitch at the Eden Gardens would be ideal for batting.
However when Ravichandran Ashwin started his spell in the second over, it became apparent that the surface was exactly the opposite to what had been expected. The ball was spitting like a venomous cobra and spinners were again enjoying a good night’s work.
Suddenly, the strategies opted by both captain were thrust into the spotlight. Pakistan Head Coach Waqar Younis would have been wondering why on earth did they not select a second spinner.
At the toss, Dhoni had felt that the generous amount of rain could mean that the swing bowlers would give him an early advantage. In the end, the bone-dry pitch outwitted everyone including the teams as well as the audience.