Key Highlights
- They took the scenic route this time around, forced into successive must-win outings after losing their opening Super Eight fixture to South Africa.
- But at no stage during their next two games, against Zimbabwe and West Indies, did they show any signs of panic, which is great credit to the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and the terrific work environment facilitated by the Gautam Gambhir-led support group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADTo be able to mount their highest successful chase in the history of the tournament with so much on the line in Sunday’s virtual quarterfinal at Eden Gardens against West Indies speaks volumes of the resilience and depth of a finely-crafted unit brimming with match-winners.
- India did so much right in Kolkata. More from First Cricket Saqlain Mushtaq’s baseless accusations against ICC, BCCI falls flat as India seal semis spot: 'Indian Cricket Council' Sanju Samson's method behind his mayhem: Decoding Kerala batter's Kolkata masterclassIndia do things rightFor starters, they chose to keep their faith in just five bowling options, resisting the temptation to fall back on Shivam Dube and non-regulars such as Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma.
- In deference to the explosive power nestled in the middle of the West Indian batting, they used Jasprit Bumrah with intelligence and commonsense, holding back three of his four overs for the second half of their innings. Sanju Samson reacts after sealing India’s victory with a six and a four during India’s chase of the 196-run target set by West Indies in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash in Kolkata.
- ReutersAt no stage during their chase, not even when they lost Abhishek and Ishan Kishan within the first five overs, did they allow a target of 196 to get out of sight.
