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Team India is off to a flying start in the ongoing edition of the ODI World Cup. Rohit Sharma's men have played three matches thus far and they have secured victories in all games with a touch of nonchalance and swagger. There was a slight blip against Australia in the campaign opener but the way they countered adversity only showcased that the Men in Blue mean business this time around and are not looking to mess around.
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After a stupendous display in three matches, we take a look at five reasons why India can finally bring an end to their ICC trophy drought with a World Cup win at home.
Rohit Sharma - the captain and tone setter: In any sport when a captain leads from the front, the entire team automatically seems to have a spring in their back. Right now, Rohit is doing exactly that for the Men in Blue. The Hitman's ability to rise up to the occasion, especially in World Cups, is heartening to watch for cricket lovers around the world. The bigger the stage, the mightier becomes the Hitman.
Rohit's batting has garnered immense applause and appreciation, and rightly so, with the stylish right-handed batter unleashing two spectacular innings, first a century against Afghanistan and then a scintillating 86-run knock versus Pakistan. The ball-striking clinic put on display by the Indian skipper has been remarkable and it has left onlookers in awe.
What has been even more impressive is Rohit's captaincy, leadership and the way he has marshaled his troops. Be it the bowling changes or sticking with the same bowler who is having an off day, Rohit seems to have everything figured out. His calm attitude and nuanced tactics seldom get the limelight that it deserves but it has taken full effect this time around.
Jasprit Bumrah - the game changer: How India missed the services of arguably the best bowler in the world when he was not around! India are just a different side when 'boom-boom' Bumrah is at his destructive best. India's first three matches are only a testament to Bumrah's class, precision and game-awareness. Exceptional with the new ball, game-changer in the middle-overs and a lethal force at death - this is Bumrah in a nutshell.
With eight wickets in three matches at a stunning economy rate of 3.44, the right-arm pacer continues to swing the momentum of the match in India's corner. Against Pakistan, it was canny Bumrah's subtle adjustments in lengths and pace that turned the game on its head. If the unorthodox pacer continues to outfox opposition batters in the manner in which he has done so far, the sky is the limit for Rohit Sharma & Co.
Kuldeep Yadav and India's spin trap: Several cricket savants and pundits have already said numerous times that the 2023 ODI World Cup will be won by a team that excels in the middle overs. India haven't just excelled, they have been authoritative and dominant in that phase of the game. The primary reason has been the tandem of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.
On wickets that have offered even slight assistance, Jadeja has become unplayable and a legitimate threat to run through the opposition's batting line-up. With Kuldeep, it is less with the pitches on offer and more with his confidence as he continues to bamboozle the best of batters by either putting extra revs on the ball or varying his speed and length depending on how he thinks he can play with the batter's mind. So far, it has been a treat to watch both Kuldeep and Jadeja operate in a familiar setting.
Middle-order looks as solid as ever: While Rohit has set the tone and rolled out a template at the top, the middle-order continues to play according to the situation with maestro Virat Kohli at the forefront. Kohli looks at his optimum best. In the first two matches, the master of run chases played the situation, absorbed the pressure (specifically against Australia) and registered consecutive half-centuries. The signs are ominous - Kohli is hungrier than ever.
Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul are probably India's two best batters against spinners, and both have played one half-century knock each while one inning of each one of them was a confidence-boosting outing, to say the least. Such has been the dominance of Indian batters that Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja haven't received any chance to wield their willow.
Hardik Pandya - the bowler: When Hardik is completely fit for bowling, India's playing XI on the paper instantly becomes more dangerous. The flexibility that Hardik offers to Rohit when it comes to the selection of playing XI is unrivaled. A few times, Hardik becomes India's third seamer, other times he is the fourth seamer. But it's his ability to break a partnership and hold one end together that is giving Rohit the option to ponder on including three spinners in the playing XI.
Against Australia, Hardik bagged one wicket in three overs bowled. Versus Afghanistan, the right-arm seamer sent two batters back to the pavilion but, most importantly, he broke the dangerous partnership between Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai by dismissing the latter. And once again against Pakistan, Hardik turned partnership breaker when Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam were threatening to build on a decent start to Pakistan's innings. He finished with two wickets in the game. The aggression with which Hardik has bowled has made all the difference for this Indian side.
The only box that India haven't ticked thus far is defending a total as the team has chased in all three matches. The manner in which Rohit's men are firing on all cylinders, it only appears that that box too would be ticked sooner rather than later.
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