Cricket World Cup 2015, Highlights: After Ashwin's 4/25, Rohit Sharma's Fifty Helps India Record Massive Win vs UAE
India put on a clinical all-round show to blow away UAE to record a nine-wicket win at the WACA in Perth. Catch all highlights from the Pool B match here.
Ravichandran Ashwin's career-best figures of 4/25 laid the perfect platform and Rohit Sharma made most of the opportunity with a half-century as India recorded a comprehensive nine-wicket win vs UAE: (Scorecard | Points Table | Fixtures)
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04.42 (IST): MS Dhoni: We have had quite a few plans and it's important in these conditions that you execute them, not give opportunities to score freely. The bowlers have really stepped up, and in a team sport it starts to reflect in other departments too. We dropped one catch today but the fielding has been brilliant. When we are losing quite a few games outside the subcontinent, it was an area of concern that we were not getting wickets in the middle overs. Now we are getting wickets with the new ball and the spinners are able to put more pressure on the batsmen in the middle overs. We have to continue with the good effort. [Bhuvneshwar] looked good, first five overs he bowled he was looking sharper than he did when he came back from the injury and played the Test match. If he plays a few more games, we can see how he can bowl in the death overs also.
04.32 (IST): Ravichandran Ashwin: I bowl at such phases of the game, it's more of cutting the runs out, it can get a little difficult, but [the lack of a four-wicket haul] was playing on my mind today after the first five overs. When it comes to this format, I'm pretty much unselfish, it doesn't matter if I get the numbers or not as long as I put in the effort required. My wrist is getting into a good position, and that helps with the arm ball, the breeze helped as well. It was good to play the big teams initially, now we're on a roll.
04.24 (IST): It's all over! India beat UAE by 9 wickets!
04.14 (IST): Rohit, Kohli resume India's chase. Need 15 off 34 overs.
04.05 (IST): India are closing in on their third win of the tournament. Fans seem ecstatic with the team's showing so far.
Can #IND win the World Cup? Let these fans at #INDvUAE tell you! #cwc15 https://t.co/QXK0dqT62X
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 28, 2015
03.36 (IST): And it's dinner break! India reach 88/1 in 16 overs with Rohit Sharma (47) and Virat Kohli (27) in the middle. Need 15 more runs to win off 34 overs
03.27 (IST): Back-to-back fours for Rohit Sharma brings up fifty-run stand between him and Virat Kohli. India 83/1 in 15 overs, need 21 runs to win off 35 overs. The party for Indian fans has started already.
It's an #IND party at the WACA as India close in on victory over #UAE. #INDvUAE https://t.co/QsqcDwd0mA
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 28, 2015
03.12 (IST): Rohit Sharma is getting good batting practice here. He plays a glorious cover drive to move into the 30s. India 59/1 in 11 overs
02.53 (IST): Shikhar Dhawan is gone! He cuts a ball from Naveed but Rohan Mustafa plucks out a one-handed stunner at point. India 29/1 in 6.3 overs
02.45 (IST): Indian openers - Dhawan and Rohit - are off to a slow start here. India 19/0 in 5 overs
02.20 (IST): India begin their run chase of 103. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan walk out to the middle.
02.10 (IST): UAE 102 all out! Mohit Sharma bags the final wicket! This is UAE lowest total in ODIs.
01.59 (IST): Ashwin finishes with career-best figures of 4/25.
01.53 (IST): UAE lowest ODI total is 123 vs Sri Lanka in 2004. They're in serious danger of resetting that record today.
01.50 (IST): Nine down! Jadeja bowls UAE skipper Mohammed Tauqir around the stumps. UAE 71/9 in 24 overs
01.40 (IST): Another wicket! UAE are seven down! Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni's go-to man strikes off his first ball! Amjad Javed (2) is gone, caught by Suresh Raina at first slip. UAE 61/7 in 21.1 overs.
01.35 (IST): India are in full control here. The fans approve.
GONE! #UAE review the LBW and it's hitting all three! 52-6 and #IND is in full control! #INDvUAE https://t.co/VBYcEQZ9cU
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 28, 2015
01.32 (IST): Six down! Rohan Mustafa is trapped in front of the stumps by Mohit Sharma. The left-handed batsman reviewed it but there was no room for doubt. The ball struck him on the back pad and he was struck on the crease. UAE 52/6 in 19.5 overs
01.16 (IST): Third wicket for Ashwin! Khurram Khan is gone! He attempted a sweep but the delivery wasn't there for the taking. The ball flew off his gloves and Raina completed a simple catch at slips. UAE 44/5 in 16.4 overs
01.05 (IST): Ashwin strikes again! It's going all downhill for UAE! Swapnil Patil fails to read Ashwin's carrom ball and commits forward. An outside edge flies to the right of Shikhar Dhawan at first slip who completes a good, low catch. UAE 41/4 in 14.5 overs
12.45 (IST): Ravichandran Ashwin strikes! Krishna Karate's resolve has been broken! He is gone for 4 off 27 balls. Karate tried to guide one down the leg side but failed to beat Suresh Raina at leg-slip. UAE 28/3 in 10.2 overs
12.24 (IST): OUT! Amjad Ali is gone for 4! Another short ball and another attempted pull shot has led to a caught-behind by Dhoni. This time, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets the wicket. UAE 13/2 in 5 overs
12.08 (IST): OUT! Umesh Yadav strikes in his first over. UAE opener Raffaelo tries to pull a short delivery but a leading edge goes straight to Dhoni behind the stumps. UAE 7/1 in 1.4 overs
12.02 (IST): What a sensational finish in Auckland! Starc brought Aussies back into the game with a menacing six-wicket haul. With six needed, Williamson kept his cool and cleared the long on boundary to complete a nervy win.
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11.57 (IST): Lot of tri-colour in the stands already.
#WorldCup2015: Can't miss the tri-colour in Perth today. #IND asked to bowl by #UAE http://t.co/Cup1NgSOuO #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/YDy2u2sTg1
- CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) February 28, 2015
11.47(IST): Meanwhile in Auckland, Australia are making a comeback vs the Kiwis. But, have they waited too late? Catch all the action from that game here.
11.35 (IST): UAE win toss, opt to bat vs India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar in for Mohammed Shami.
11.29 (IST): With Shami injured, a lot of focus will be on Umesh Yadav.
#IND is ready for business at the WACA! Can they continue their winning run today? #INDvUAE https://t.co/vsyYFqtlzZ
- Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 28, 2015
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The Indian team has played a fiery brand of cricket in the World Cup so far. Their two wins so far have not just been about points - they have been emphatic statements. A 76-run win against Pakistan was followed up by a 130-run triumph vs the strong Proteas. In both, batting and bowling combined seamlessly. Captain MS Dhoni has had a smile since Adelaide and it may turn into an emphatic laugh against minnows UAE - playing their 1st World Cup since 1996.
What would be a minor hiccup though is the absence of pacer Mohammad Shami. Ruled out of Saturday's match with a minor knee injury, Shami would have looked to better his already decent record at the expense of UAE. In his absence, it would be interesting to see if India let fit-again Bhuvneshwar Kumar play his first match of the tournament.
Batting would once again revolve around Delhi heroes Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. Of course, opener Rohit Sharma will look to hit big as well, considering he has not been as influential as his teammates. With an in-form Ajinkya Rahane at No. 4, this lineup can truly light up the sky if it bats first. (India Are Playing Best Cricket: Lara)
As for UAE, the team does not seem to be bothered with India's big names. On the eve of their match, captain Mohammad Tauqir said that they are treating India as another opposition team. It may indeed be their best bet.
Shaiman Anwar is one player to watch out for. With a fifty and a century from two matches, he has emerged as one of the most prolific player in his side. Captain Tauqir too is a deadly prospect with the ball. Although Indians play spin well, underestimating his spin could prove to be bothersome. (Dhoni Gets Hit on Forearm, Escapes Injury)
Backed by a huge crowd once again, India won't be faulted for taking it easy. Too easy though and all cricket estimations and sensibilities would come crashing down.