Why India are favourites to win ICC Champions Trophy 2013?
As the League Stages of ICC Champions Trophy 2013 drawing towards an end, all eyes are on India’s performance in the Knockouts. Indian team has been on a roll and were thrashing the teams that come in their way. Right from the Warm up games, India were in an ominous form. Experts feel that this team has the potential to win the tournament. Lets look at the Why India are favourites to win ICC Champions Trophy.
Reasons Why India are favourites to win ICC Champions Trophy
5. A Perfect All-Rounder in Ravindra Jadeja
Over the past few years, India were in the pursuit of a genuine All Rounder to bring balance to the side. Yuvraj Singh provided that comfort in the 2011 ICC World Cup. Now its the turn of Ravindra Jadeja to carry the All Rounder’s Baton in the Champions Trophy 2013.
Before the tournament started, people raised eyebrows over his selection saying that the conditions in England wont suit his style of Play. But once the tournament began, Jadeja silenced his critics with his performances with the bat, ball and in the field. He started the tournament with a short little cameo of 29 ball 47 followed by a tight spell of 2-31 against South Africa. His heroics in the field turned the game in India’s favour. Against West Indies, he took 5-36 in his ten overs and made the job easier for the batsmen to win the game. He was at his best against Pakistan and returned with a figure 2-36. In the Champions Trophy, he scored 47 runs off 27 balls, took 9-103 in 27 overs at an economy of 3.81 runs per over and saved atleast 30 runs in the field. India’s wait for a Genuine All Rounder is over.
4. Successful Opening Combination
Sans Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, one would have thought that the Indian Openers will struggle in the conditions in England that wont suit them. But Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma had other ideas. They give the team a flying start so that other batsmen can settle in and finish off the innings in style. Till now, they put together a partnership of 286 runs at nearly 6 runs per over. Shikhar Dhawan is in a giant Killing spree scoring 2 tons in 2 matches. The Decision to open the innings with Rohit Sharma has been a blessing in disguise for the team as well as Rohit himself. It gives him more time to settle in and score runs freely. Both the Indian Openers finds themselves in the Top 5 Leading run scorers list which is topped by Shikhar Dhawan. Controlled aggression and Running between the wickets has been the feature of this partnership.
3. Indian bowling has become a force to reckon with
Usually Indian Bowling Attack and success wont go hand in hand. But the trend has changed now. The bowlers are contributing towards the team’s success. India have taken 29 wickets out of the possible 30 wickets in 3 matches. As a whole, India has conceded less than 5 runs per over in the Group stages. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, as expected strikes early in the innings and creates a lot of doubts in the batsmen’s mind. He is well supported by Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma. The Pace Battery is well complimented by the Spin Twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The leading wicket taker in the tournament is Jadeja. The Indian bowling has come to the party and doing wonders for the team.
2. Best Fielding Unit India has ever had
In the past, Dhoni was not satisfied with the fielding unit India posses and came out slamming the slow fielders in the side. But the 2013 Champions Trophy has witnessed the best Fielding Unit India has ever had. The players are young and it makes a huge difference in the field. Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Shikhar Dhawan are all natural fielders. They cover area quickly which makes the opposition think before they challenge them. They are acrobatic and sharp inside the circle. The Slip Cordon is safe with Ashwin and Raina taking the responsibilities. Even the Pacers are ready to throw their bodies to stop the ball. The Fielding alone would have saved around 70-80 runs in the 3 matches India has played.
1. Players bonding well within the team
DIVIDED BY IPL!!!! UNITED BY THE COUNTRY!!!!
Indian Players represent different IPL teams. But it has not affected the players. They are well led by MS Dhoni.. The players are bonding well within the team. The morale is high among the players and they are complimenting each other well in the field. The youngsters bring a lot of energy into the field and that has reflected them in their performances.
The current Indian team has the hunger to win Laurels for the country. If they continue to perform in the way they currently do, who knows India can be firm favourites for winning the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
