The sheer professionalism of Team India’s cricketers was the highlight of yet another victory over Pakistan in the World Cup. Led by a captain who was able to insulate his players from the emotions surrounding a high-profile clash with its arch-rival, the team came up with one of its most impressive batting displays, building on a solid start when chief threat Mohammad Amir was seen off before Rohit Sharma launched into his ODI 360-degree stroke-making brilliance. Virat Kohli played a willing second fiddle, encouraging his deputy, which only enhanced his image as a skipper in total control. While Indian television may have gone berserk in their jingoistic buildup to the clash at Manchester’s Old Trafford, Kohli made it clear this wasn’t war minus the shooting.
Having defied the logical advice of his PM Imran Khan to bat first if the pitch was dry, the Pakistani skipper not only came off second best but was also the butt of jokes after being seen yawning away on the field. There can’t be just one reason why Team India has strung together seven World Cup wins over Pakistan in 27 years, but total focus on cricket while marginalising the extraneous, ignoring geopolitics, may have helped considerably. The results in sport vary over time, but India has a cricket system with ample rewards for the best performers. There’s much to be done before Team India can think of raising the World Cup in July 14’s final, but the team is in the safe hands of a committed skipper and his Men in Blue.
