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The middle overs passivity of the ODI format has
frequently drawn criticism. Even Sachin Tendulkar frequently expressed
dissatisfaction with one-day cricket, claiming tedium during the middle innings.
However, not with the Indian bowling assault. These have been the most fruitful
periods for the home team in this World Cup since they have doubled the
pressure quotient between overs 11 and 40.
Rohit Sharma, the captain, makes sure that the bowlers
use creative bowling changes to close the gap around the opposition. Because it
has been difficult to score runs, hitters have been forced to take chances,
which has led to wickets. The penetration in the middle overs, which was
characterised by incisive and offensive bowling and creative captaincy, is
largely responsible for all four of the team’s victories thus far in the World
Cup.
In each of the four games, the opposition had a
respectable start before being suffocated by Indian pacers and spinners in the
middle overs.
Australia was 43 for one in the first powerplay of the
first game, but they lost six wickets in the second, scoring only 113 runs
overall. Between overs 11 and 40, Afghanistan performed better, scoring 163
runs and only losing three wickets. However, after making a respectable start
of 49 for one in the first powerplay, Pakistan appeared to be completely lost,
losing seven wickets for 163 runs.
On Thursday, after Bangladesh had scored 63 runs
without losing any wickets in the first 10 overs, the most outstanding
middle-overs bowling performance was seen. They didn’t lose their first wicket
until the 15th over, but they lost their way in the second powerplay, losing
five wickets for just 126 runs. With Virat Kohli smashing an undefeated
century, India was able to record their fourth successful chase in the
championship thanks to this containment. The hitters decimated a 257-run mark.
India hasn’t typically been known for their impressive
middle-over bowling, and Rohit once voiced reservations about the team’s
failure to capture wickets in the middle overs. Back in 2016, after getting
Australia down to 21 for two in an ODI in Perth, India was unable to hold on to
a 309-point lead. In that game, Rohit scored an unbeatable 171, but it wasn’t
enough. At the time, he was a long way from being the captain, but ever since
he did, he has made sure that the middle overs are now difficult for the
opposition.