India thrash Pakistan at Edgbaston in the Champions Trophy

India opened their Champions Trophy campaign with an emphatic win over arch rivals Pakistan. Their were times when we had nail biting finishes between the two teams, but not anymore. The ever expanding gulf of quality between India & Pakistan is increasing.

Rain tried to play a spoil sport but eventually India were the deserved winners. In fact at times it looked like that rain might just save Pakistan, but it wasn’t to be.

Men in Blue were put into bat & they didn’t shy back, as they showed Pakistan why they are being feared in world cricket at present. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started solidly as India made an ideal start.

Rain showers came & gone in between, quite a few times. Pakistan used Imad Wasim early as a clear strategy but it didn’t paid off. Wahab Riaz was disappointing, as Indian batters scored freely against him.

Pakistan’s fielding wasn’t up to the mark either as they dropped a few catches. Yuvraj’s dropped catch was a sitter. Later he & Kohli both scored half centuries. Hardik Pandya hit 3 consecutive sixes of Imad Wasim & boasted India’s total, well past 300.

Chasing 300+ in 48 overs, was never going to be easy for a team like Pakistan. Azhar Ali though scored a brilliant 50 but none of the other batsman contributed. Pakistan were later bowled out for 164, handing India a massive 124 run victory.

Rain as earlier in the game, played its part & the target was revised again & again. Pakistani batting needs a lot of improvement if they are to compete here in the Champions Trophy.

“I would give our batting 9/10(in terms of planning & execution)” said skipper Virat Kohli, after the match. Though India were not good in the field, with a range of misfields & dropped catches. Kedar Jadhav was disappointing, as he grassed one of the simplest catches in the game.

“I would give our fielding 6/10, and that also, I would give all six points to Ravindra Jadeja” the skipper added. Jadeja justified his inclusion in the playing eleven ahead of Ashwin.

India still needs to improve, despite their win over Pakistan. Next India play Sri Lanka in London on June 8.

India have shown with this win, that why they are being considered as one of the favourites for the tournament. India should remain positive & hope for the best.