Second Ind-Pak ODI: Indian batsmen hold the key

02 January, 2013

India will play its second ODI against Pakistan at Eden Gardens on 3 January 2013 signaling the start of the 2013 season and the new year for both the nations. The match is very important in the context of the series, as the Indian team trail 1-0 after losing the first ODI in Chennai.

INDIA HAS to win the match, if they are to remain alive in the series, else Pakistan will win the three-match ODI series in Kolkata itself. If the Indians are to come anywhere close to winning, it is their batsmen who need to deliver the goods.

The Indians faltered in Chennai and the batsmen fell like a pack of cards in the first ODI. The Pakistani bowlers made the Indians dance with their good seam and swing bowling. The Pakistanis showed that they are a top-class bowling side. But, the Indians are expected to come back with a bang, as the Indian top order has never been humiliated in such a manner, at least in home conditions. The second ODI is all set to be an interesting game - as the Indian team is likely to fight and claw their way back into the series and give themselves a chance to win it in the last match in Delhi on January 6.

One of the positives that one could take from the Indian team was the batting of MS Dhoni, as he single handedly took India beyond the 200 run mark with a magnificent hundred. But, he does not want to come under such pressure as he did in the first ODI, so it is time for the top order to perform. If they do, the Indian team looks a different unit, and is capable of tearing into the Pakistani bowlers as well as give their bolwing line up enough runs to put pressure on the stroke-makers of Pakistan.

The Pakistan team is confident side after their display in the first ODI but they are aware of the threat that the Indian team possess with their batting line up. It is crucial for the Pakistan bowlers to take early wickets like they did in the previous match and not allow the Indian openers, especially Sehwag to give a flying start to the Indian team. Normally, it has been seen that the Indian team scores good runs, if and when Sehwag clicks with the willow. Other batsmen such as Yuvraj, who has been in good form, also hold the key along with India's best bet in the ODI, Virat Kohli.

One cannot completely depend on the Indian batsmen, as the bowlers need to play an important role as well. But, India's best chance to win the match is chasing down Pakistan's target rather than defending, as India's forte lies in batting.