Indian bowlers in general and Zaheer Khan in particular won the Cricket World Cup 2011 for India. It is the bowling unit under ever-improving Zaheer Khan that made the difference for India between winning the World Cup and just being one of the teams to get to the knockout stages.
The disciplined bowling from the Indian bowling unit restricted Australia in the Quarter-Final to a moderate total that India could chase down with some huff and puff. Zaheer Khan struck vital blows at the most crucial stage of the game against Australia. He turned the game in India's favor when he got Michael Hussey cheaply midway through the innings. Otherwise Australia would have gone onto get a big score that would have been difficult to chase down. After Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj was the best Indian bowler on view besides being the best Indian batsman in the tournament. Munaf Patel too played a crucial role by bowling good line and length. Most importantly, the Indian bowlers conceded least possible extras, which had a huge bearing on the result of the games.
Similarly, Indian batting unit had a difficult time against Pakistan. Sachin got as many as seven lives during the match against Pakistan including five dropped catches, and still the Indian batting line could manage a modest 260. Pakistan got to a sensational start and Kamran Akmal was threatening to take the game away from India. Zaheer Khan once again came to India's rescue and got India first breakthrough in the shape of Kamran Akmal. Still, Mohammad Hafeez was unperturbed by Kamran Akmal's dismissal and was marching towards the target when Munaf Patel induced Mohammad Hafeez to make a mistake. The Indian bowlers bowled an excellent line and length throughout the Pakistan innings and finally India triumphed over Pakistan.
Most importantly, Zaheer Khan gave India an excellent start in the Final when India was on the back-foot after losing the toss. India won the game during the first 15 overs of the Sri Lankan's innings. The bowling of Zaheer Khan was quite reverse of his performance during 2003 World Cup Final against Australia. Had Zaheer Khan been not as good in the first 15 overs, Sri Lanka could have got a bigger total and the Indian batting might not have chased down the target.
The Indian bowling unit hence deserve a greater share of credit for India's triumph in the World Cup 2011.
The disciplined bowling from the Indian bowling unit restricted Australia in the Quarter-Final to a moderate total that India could chase down with some huff and puff. Zaheer Khan struck vital blows at the most crucial stage of the game against Australia. He turned the game in India's favor when he got Michael Hussey cheaply midway through the innings. Otherwise Australia would have gone onto get a big score that would have been difficult to chase down. After Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj was the best Indian bowler on view besides being the best Indian batsman in the tournament. Munaf Patel too played a crucial role by bowling good line and length. Most importantly, the Indian bowlers conceded least possible extras, which had a huge bearing on the result of the games.
Similarly, Indian batting unit had a difficult time against Pakistan. Sachin got as many as seven lives during the match against Pakistan including five dropped catches, and still the Indian batting line could manage a modest 260. Pakistan got to a sensational start and Kamran Akmal was threatening to take the game away from India. Zaheer Khan once again came to India's rescue and got India first breakthrough in the shape of Kamran Akmal. Still, Mohammad Hafeez was unperturbed by Kamran Akmal's dismissal and was marching towards the target when Munaf Patel induced Mohammad Hafeez to make a mistake. The Indian bowlers bowled an excellent line and length throughout the Pakistan innings and finally India triumphed over Pakistan.
Most importantly, Zaheer Khan gave India an excellent start in the Final when India was on the back-foot after losing the toss. India won the game during the first 15 overs of the Sri Lankan's innings. The bowling of Zaheer Khan was quite reverse of his performance during 2003 World Cup Final against Australia. Had Zaheer Khan been not as good in the first 15 overs, Sri Lanka could have got a bigger total and the Indian batting might not have chased down the target.
The Indian bowling unit hence deserve a greater share of credit for India's triumph in the World Cup 2011.
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