After all the criticism they received for their lacklustre performance against arch rivals Pakistan, the hosts, India bounced back on Sunday by winning the final match of the series by 10 runs, successfully
defending a meagre target of 168 at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.
While Pakistan had already claimed the series 2-0, this match held importance for Indian skipper MS Dhoni and the rest of the aging players to prove they are still worth their money.
Dhoni, overwhelmed by his side’s success, had this to say after the match:
“160 wasn't enough. But I told the team that yes it is not enough, but the team should compete well. The spinners did a great job but the men of the match were the fielders in this game. Bhuvi started well, then Ishant bowled well with a not-so-new ball. Jadeja and Ashwin supported each other well too. It is important to learn from each and every game and this is young side and there is learning for everyone. Bowling line-up was a big positive this serie. Yes, there was help for bowlers, but we bowled well as a unit.”
However, the problem with India’s batting line-up persisted in this encounter as the batsmen were washed away by the young Pakistan bowling brigade, who prevented the likes of G Gambhir, V Kohli, SK Raina and Yuvraj Singh from getting carried away.
India, who chose to bat, lost their first wicket with only 19 runs on the board when AM Rahane was dismissed by Mohammad Irfan, after he had scored four runs.
In the ninth over, Mohammad Irfan struck again by nabbing Gambhir, who faltered with 15 runs to his name. By this time, India had posted 29 runs on the scoreboard.
V Kohli continued his bad run with the bat, as he was dismissed by left-arm pacer Junaid Khan for seven.
With 37 for three, India were certainly caught in a spot of bother, and needed someone to halt the bowling onslaught.
The partnership between Yuvraj Singh and SK Raina brought some stability in the middle, as the two took the score to 63, but just when Singh showed some muscle by hitting meritorious boundaries against Gul, he was cleaned up by Mohammad Hafeez for 23.
Raina was then joined by the captain, and the two brought their side back in the game by posting 111 runs on the board.
Nonetheless, Saeed Ajmal crashed the party by dismissing Raina (31), followed by the wicket of R Ashwin (0).
With Dhoni smacking 36 runs, India crumbled without putting a daunting target for Pakistan to chase, as Ajmal finished with five wickets in the match.
With victory almost imminent, Pakistan were dubbed to win the match, however, every day is not Sunday for the Men in Green, as their batsmen gave a terrible show, falling ten runs short of the required target.
Dhoni was named as the Player of the Match, while Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed took home the Man of the Series award.
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