India's deja vu in Champions Trophy

With the first ball of the tournament just a day away, Team India is set to defend their Champions Trophy title. India have ticked all the boxes going into the tournament after winning their twin warm-up games by convincing margins. They beat New Zealand by 45 runs (by D/L method) and then went on to raze a hapless Bangladesh side by 240 runs at the Kennington Oval in London.

The only concern in their camp is the availability of their star batsman Yuvraj Singh. The 35-year old missed both the warm-up games pertaining to illness so there is no injury concern. He is expected to be fit for India’s opening clash against Pakistan but will lack in match practice. But big players get the extra motivation to perform at the big stage hence Yuvraj will be good to go when he walks out to bat against Pakistan at No. 4.

This edition is strangely similar to India’s 2013 CT campaign. They were placed in Group B, like in this edition, and faced South Africa, Pakistan and West Indies. The West Indies is not around this year. India faced Sri Lanka in the semi-finals of 2013, which is the third team in their group this time around. This is sort of a déjà vu moment for the defending champions as they are set to face identical teams in their group games.

Let us have a look at the matches in an elaborate form:

India vs Pakistan

The mother of all clashes is set to commence on Sunday. This will be India’s opening game and was their second game of the tournament last edition. Dhoni had put in Pakistan first in gloomy conditions at Edgbaston in Birmingham, which is the venue for this game again this year. Indian bowlers led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja had a tight lid over their arch-rivals as they picked 2 wickets apiece. Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 165 in a rain-truncated game which was reduced to 40 overs a side.

Further incessant rains during the innings break meant that India needed 102 to win in 22 overs. India strolled towards victory thanks to Shikhar Dhawan’s 48 and Kohli’s unbeaten 22. It was a one-sided affair as India got home with 8 wickets in hand and more than 2 overs to spare. Generally, fans expect a nail-biter whenever these two teams lock horns against each other but India were very clinical in their approach.

India again start as favorites to make light work of a transiting Pakistan. It remains to be seen if the newcomers of Pakistan have the ability to push a strong Indian side.

India vs Sri Lanka

India took on their Asian neighbors in the semi-final four years ago. This time, though, they will play them in their second group game at the Kennington Oval in London. The semi-final commenced at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff where India brought their A game to the park. Dhoni again had put in Sri Lanka first and his pacers responded in a similar fashion by chipping away at the wickets.

Ishant Sharma took the wickets of Sangakkara and Thirimanne while Bhuvneshwar sent Kusal Perera back early. Mathews (51) and Jayawardene (38) tried to rebuild but Ashwin (3/48) and Jadeja (1/33) made sure that the Lankans could only get 181 runs on the board.

Dhawan again was at the forefront of the chase as he made a classy 68 and was involved in a 77-run stand with Rohit Sharma (33). Kohli gave the finishing touches to the chase remaining unbeaten on 58. It was, again, a clinical performance by Dhoni’s boys which took them into the finals after 11 long years.

India will play Sri Lanka in their second group game and yet again are likely to complete a rousing win against them. India has a good bunch of fast bowlers who can run through the brittle top order of Sri Lanka.

India vs South Africa

South Africa was the first team India played against in 2013. It was the first game of the tournament as well where Shikhar Dhawan announced his return to top-notch cricket after spending 3 years in the wilderness. He cut and pulled his way onto a memorable century. Rohit gave good company scoring a useful 65 as both were involved in a stand of 127 for the first wicket. A sound opening partnership was the secret to India’s success last time. They have the same set of openers this year too and if they can repeat the performances of 2013, they will be a side to beat.

The good work done by the openers was spoilt by the South African bowlers who pegged the Indians back by picking wickets at regular intervals. A late surge by Jadeja, who made a 29-ball 47, meant India amassed a daunting 331. Indian fast bowlers went for runs in this game but took wickets which kept South Africa behind in the game. A neat 2/31 from Jadeja meant that South Africa fell short by 26 runs at the end. It was again a perfect game, barring the initial pounding the fast bowlers received. It was Dhawan’s brilliance which set up the game for the Indians.

This time, South Africa will be India’s third group game. They have new players who promise a lot. India will have to play to the best of their abilities to repeat the result of 2013.

All eyes are on the defending champions to put their best foot forward in the eighth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy. They have almost the same personnel this time around but the reins of the side are with Kohli, who was Dhoni’s deputy last time. They have the players, who are in great form, to repeat the heroics of 2013.