If you redeem yourself against the old enemy, past mistakes are excused and blunders are accepted, says a report in Hindustan Times, adding that the subcontinent will come to a halt on Sunday evening when the India and Pakistan go head-to-head in the ICC World Twenty20.
“The equation, past results and current form don't count for much. It's all about the game at hand. Embarrassed by Australia, India are down in the pits, but Dhoni & Co have the chance to wipe off the negativity at one go. That's the impact of a win over the arch-rivals,” says the report, adding that However, the odds are heavily stacked against India in the much-awaited Super Eights game.
“Pakistan have never beaten India in either the 50-over World Cup or World T20, but Mohammad Hafeez's men will start as favourites. The India captain is facing the heat ahead of the do-or-die battle and has too many issues to deal with in the 24-hour break. The least of all is to handle the shattered morale. The constant chopping and changing hasn't helped, it's only left the team unsettled,” says the report.
Humiliated by Australia in their opening Super Eights match, a jittery India will have to pick up the pieces from their all-round failure and come up with an inspired performance against arch-rivals Pakistan in their do-or-die game in the World Twenty20 on Sunday, says a report in The Times Of India, adding that the Indian team looked completely out of sorts against Australia and they now have to quickly address their woes in all departments of the game when they take on an upbeat Pakistan, who had beaten South Africa in a thriller, if they want to remain afloat in the tournament.
“Although Dhoni may persist with his five bowler strategy, it will be very surprising if leggie Chawla gets another chance in the tournament. Pakistan are far superior players of spin bowling and consistency has never been Chawla's forte as he is primarily a rhythm bowler. On their day, the likes of Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed and Mohammad Hafeez can take Chawla to the cleaners --- something Dhoni can't afford at this juncture of the tournament,” says the report, adding that Dhoni had suggested that "slower deliveries will be effective on Premadasa strip" which means that a bowler like Lakshmipathy Balaji will be more effective.
“The Indian team also has their share of batting worries and it will be interesting to know whether Dhoni will persist with Irfan Pathan as the makeshift opener and keep Virender Sehwag out of the equation,” adds the report.
According to a report in Indian Express, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants his batsmen to throw caution to the wind and play their natural attacking game in Sunday's crucial match against Pakistan to revive their stuttering World Twenty20 campaign.
Dhoni urged his teammates to walk out and express themselves against Pakistan without fearing about the result.
“I think if you just see the potential, the team has got the potential and it's just that you have to implement it on the field, he told reporters. Also what's important for us is to go in and just express ourselves... let's play the big shots and play with lot of confidence. And whatever the result may be, let's not care about the result because it's a very different format. You can't do lot of planning... just go out, you have the talent, you have resources, just express yourself,” says the report.