India lost to England by 31 runs at Edgbaston on Sunday. It was the first defeat for Virat Kohli and Co in their seven matches of the 2019 ICC World Cup so far. Though India's chances for the semi-finals stay bright despite the loss, thanks to their 11 points, England earned themselves a lifeline by winning.
However, it dimmed Bangladesh and Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the last-four stage of the tournament and knocked Sri Lanka out of the equation.
Chasing a total as steep as 338, India made just 28 runs in the first Powerplay. Then in the final five overs of the innings MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav managed to hit just three fours and a six while picking up 20 singles and playing out six dots. India needed 71 runs from the final five overs to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament. The duo, however, managed only 39 in the last five overs. It might be difficult to prove that India lost the match in these two crucial segments of play, but what can be definitively said is India lacked intent upfront and at the death.
Indian openers, especially Rohit Sharma, believe in following the routine of settling down without taking any undue risk. However, 28 for 1 is the slowest start in the World Cup after the first Powerplay.
Kohli and Rohit analysed the lack of intent differently. Kohli was clear a good beginning might have set the tone. "We should have been more clinical with the bat I suppose because the wicket was flat," Kohli told the host broadcaster.
Partly that pressure was built after KL Rahul rushed into a premeditated shot - a flick - off a straight delivery from Chris Woakes, who took a lovely return catch. This after Woakes had bowled a maiden to Rahul in the first over of the innings.
Even Rohit was lucky to get away with an error after Joe Root dropped a regulation catch at second slip in the second over. Against a fuller ball on the fourth stump that was moving away Rohit attempted a flamboyant cover drive away from his body. The thick outside edge flew to the right of Root who failed to pouch it neatly leaving Jofra Archer in agony.
There were 42 dot balls in the first 10 overs with just five fours.
When Jadhav joined Dhoni India needed 71 runs from 31 balls. By the time Woakes lined up to bowl the final over of the match, India needed an impossible 44 runs. In the previous 25 deliveries, Dhoni and Kedar had played out five dots, 18 singles and just two fours.
This lack of intent from the lower-order pair was highly intriguing. The hopelessness of the situation had dawned upon the Indian fans who swiftly emptied the stadium with a couple of overs to go. Those remaining even booed to exercise their frustration and annoyance.
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