Five things we learned in the second week of Cricket World Cup 2023
economictimes.indiatimes.comINDIA IN OMINOUS TOUCH
With four wins out of four, the hosts are playing like the favourites they have been talked up as. Moving the ball both ways at pace, Jasprit Bumrah has been magical. Ravindra Jadeja has been excellent with the ball and electric on the field.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul have all been among the runs. Sharma, particularly, has been sensational.
Having changed his approach to the batting powerplay, he has given the innings rocket fuel. His strike rate in the first powerplay in 2023 is 111.58; in 2022, it was 100.68 – the two best of his ODI career.
But storming through the group phase is no guarantee of ultimate success. India know this better than most sides. Their problem over the past decade has been at the business end of ICC tournaments.
The lower order batting is as yet untested. Hardik Pandya’s recovery from the ankle injury he suffered in the last game against Bangladesh is crucial for the team balance. It is more or less assured that India will reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
Whether they are able to maintain this balance and intensity in that phase is what will determine their fate in this World Cup.
AUSTRALIA ARE BACK, BUT WORRIES REMAIN
The five-time champions’ pounding of Pakistan was brutal. But it was not a collective batting effort. Rather, it was simply David Warner and Mitchell Marsh.
Between them, they scored 284 of Australia’s total of 367 for 9. The first wicket fell at 259. After that, it was 108 for 8.
Their catching has been woeful. And fatigue will play a part after a long, draining season. Nevertheless, it is silly to rule out Australia’s chances in a World Cup.
MISSING KANE? NOT REALLY
Like India, New Zealand also have four wins out of
