Sport - Cricket

Dhoni led from the front

The positive impact of the T20 can be seen in the manner in which most recent one-day games are seeing teams score at more than six runs an over quite easily.

India were set a target of 159 to get in 22 overs after rain interrupted their innings and despite having to score at almost eight runs an over, they got there without too much trouble.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni led from the front as he blazed away and got India home in the last over.

He had promoted himself up the order after his terrific batting in the previous game and with the confidence of that near-century knock under his belt he produced another stellar effort to see his team through.

India now cannot lose the series for there is just one more game left but knowing Dhoni, he will look to finish on a winning note before heading off for a well-earned break from the game.

It was good to see the manner in which Karthik and Gambhir tackled the West Indies new ball because chasing a total like India was asked to do was not an easy task.

Both were aggressive and did not allow the quick bowlers to settle down at all.

The Windies bowlers were upset about the ball that had been given to them and their body language, before even a ball was bowled, was so negative it is no wonder they were ineffective.

Taylor and Rampaul bowled sharply but the Indian openers were ready this time around and did not get deterred by the short ball.

Karthik, in particular, played the pull shot very well. His enthusiasm and ready smile is uplifting for any team.

Ashish Nehra, who stalled the West Indies when they were looking for a takeoff in the final overs, showed that experience is a handy weapon to have even in this form of the game.

Harbhajan bowled craftily in this truncated game using his flight and doosra cleverly and it is good to see him take on the leading spinner’s role with relish. India’s fielding though is a worry with misfields adding to the runs and when that happens, bowlers can get demoralised easily.

That is the one area that India has to work really hard at in the coming months as the new season approaches.

Professional Management Group

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