Team India have been performing like a well-oiled machine, all parts working at near optimum capacity. And none smoother than the fast bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The batters, led by the seniors like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been on a roll for some time now. They have helped put together displaced by a disciplined team that was stretched only on the rare occasion on the way to a 7-0 win record in the league and a guaranteed place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The Sri Lankans, beaten out of sight in the Asia Cup final, had the misfortune of running into a Team India in their most formidable avatar to date. Having gathered a big total after a tough start, they demolished the islanders in an impeccable show of swing and seam by Shami & Co, leading to the second biggest margin of victory by runs in the World Cup. So extraordinarily well directed was the bowling attack that it led to speculation in Pakistan that Team India were being given special sets of rogue balls.
Laughable as the allegation is, the fact is this pack of bowlers are an intimidating lot when they bowl at night under the lights when the new ball zips around. Their dazzling performance may have settled the route for an Indian team that has been tested both ways, in bowling first or batting. India may have lost only three games in the last two World Cups, but two of those were in the knockouts, which explains why there is no new trophy in the BCCI cupboard.
As the competition progresses towards the knockout semi-finals, Team India are ensconced as the firm favourites but who still have to prove that do-or-die games are not beyond them. While South Africa and Australia seem to have found momentum, clinching the last spot could still be a challenge for New Zealand who began their campaign so well but flopped against South Africa to leave the race to the semis somewhat open.
