When the English poet, Robert Browning wrote ‘God’s in his heaven , all’s right with the world’ he wasn’t exactly alluding to our Indian passion for good food, music, Bollywood and pure joy of a tumultuous win over archrivals Pakistan- King Kohli’s bat conjuring that old magic alongside fiery resurgence from a resolute KL Rahul, struggling to find a place after a long lay-off, not even in reckoning, till Iyer gave him a providential break !
Never mind if this wasn’t a grand finale of a World event, for what mattered to fans was the sheer dominance of our batters over the hapless Pakis, suddenly beset with injuries starting with their pace spearheads Shaheen Afridi and Rauf. For cricket aficionados, it was a master class of classical batting display from India’s most attractive stroke-makers culminating in posting their highest total against Pak and Virat smashing many records.
What was equally pleasing was the all round smart performance on the field, return of Bumrah to lead India’s bowling attack with his stinging in/out swingers and Kuldeep’s mesmerizing googlies (5 for 25) which a vaunted Paki line-up couldn’t read ! All this augurs well for a team still gearing up for the World Cup, lined up in their backyard !
A lot of the Asia Cup has still to be played in inclement weather conditions and prospect of rains always looming large. Was Monday’s superlative show a flash in the pan, that might be difficult to replicate when India takes on Sri Lanka today ? Despite his heroics can Virat’s unbeatable physical reserves of stamina produce another onslaught on the Lankans who’ll come fresh as daisies on the field. Oh, glorious uncertainties of cricket ! What about rotating /resting some big guys. Ask Virat and KL who just hit centuries !!
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