India’s win over Pakistan showcased one of their best bowling performances under Rahul Dravid, with the only comparable instance being in a Test match in South Africa earlier this year.
Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey highlighted the context of the game, the quality of the opposition, and the changing conditions, stating that the Pakistan match should be considered their best performance.
“Well, there were a couple of them.
I thought in a different format.
I thought the Test win in South Africa, the last game that we played in South Africa was phenomenal.
But yeah, if you look at the context of the game, if you look at the tournament, the pressure, the way we handled the pressure, this was definitely very much up there in terms of the performance, fabulous performance,” Mhambrey said on Tuesday.
India managed to defend 119 against a formidable Pakistan side in an intensely fought game on a pitch that eased a little once India started bowling.
Despite Pakistan’s strong start, reaching 73 for two near the halfway stage, India turned the game around in the latter half of Pakistan’s innings, particularly in the last five overs, ultimately winning by six runs.
“I thought in a game like this, especially when you have so much pressure in terms of the high intensity game, obviously the game against Pakistan is always going to be high intensity, whatever you say, it’s never going to be a normal game.
When you’re batting you expect a situation where we were nicely placed to get more runs.
But especially when that doesn’t happen, you know you’re defending low scores.
And the only way out there is to go and bowl at your best.
I think in that context, to be able to defend that score on a wicket which definitely got better was phenomenal,” Mhambrey said.
Jasprit Bumrah was virtually unplayable, returning figures of three for 14 and being named Player of the Match.
Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj also contributed significantly.
“Every individual up there did his job.
That’s what we expect at this level.
But everything coming together is also important.
All the bowlers, the game plan came in.
I think we executed our plans very well.
And when that happens, the victory is sweet,” added Mhambrey.
India will next face the USA, the tournament co-hosts who are technically an Associate team.
However, Mhambrey emphasized that they will approach the game with the same seriousness as any full-member side, given USA’s impressive performance in the tournament, including their historic win over Pakistan.
“You can’t take any game lightly.
This is the World Cup.
Every game matters.
Your rhythm is important.
Winning is a habit that you need to get into early.
You need to get in early to perform,” he said, adding, “I think in the context of the game, every game is important.
So, for us, it’s going to be like any other game.
It’s like we played Pakistan, like we played Ireland (both full members of the ICC).
It’s going to be a similar game for us.”
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