Not since the winter of 1983, when Clive Lloyd's West Indies avenged
their loss in the World Cup final, had India been whitewashed in an ODI
series at home. Following their third poor batting performance against
Pakistan, India were hurtling towards a 0-3 score line in the cold of
Delhi, until their bowlers rallied in conditions that offered seam and
spin, applying relentless pressure until Misbah-ul-Haq's team cracked in
the dead rubber.
As Yuvraj Singh, pursued by team-mates, went off on a celebratory run
and slide after catching Mohammad Hafeez in the penultimate over to
secure a hard-fought victory, the exuberant celebrations on the field
and in the stands at the Kotla were a release of emotion from a country
that has had precious little to celebrate in cricket in recent times.
An Indian victory, however, had appeared unlikely after their batsmen
had crumbled against Pakistan's versatile attack. A raw seam attack,
spearheaded by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the debutant Shami Ahmed, had only
167 to defend and they went about it manfully. Ahmed began his spell
with two maiden overs and continued to bowl with economy. Bhuvneshwar
nipped out two early wickets with inswingers and bowled his ten overs on
the trot, leaving Pakistan 55 for 2 after 19 overs.
During that period, India's fielding was at its best, with Ajinkya
Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja throwing their bodies around on a chilly
evening to cut off fluent flicks and drives. The only easy runs Pakistan
got were two leg-side wides from the offspinner R Ashwin that beat MS
Dhoni and sped to the boundary.
Pakistan rebuilt through Misbah, who batted doggedly for 39 off 82
balls, first with Nasir Jamshed and then with Umar Akmal. Both those
stands were ended by Ashwin, and at 113 for 4 in difficult batting
conditions, India were gaining ground. They received a lucky break, when
Shoaib Malik was adjudged lbw to Ishant Sharma though he was hit
outside the line, and Akmal charged Ravindra Jadeja too early and was
stumped.
Only Hafeez, batting at No. 7 because of an injury while bowling, stood
between India and victory and he was dropped by Rahane in the 42nd over,
a straightforward chance at leg slip. He dragged his team towards the
target and had to refuse singles with the No. 11 Mohammad Irfan, after
Pakistan had lost three wickets in eight balls. With 23 runs needed in
the last two overs, Hafeez hit two boundaries before holing out to off
Ishant.
Any immediate anguish Pakistan felt, however, quickly dissipated as
their players, heavily jacketed in the misty evening, celebrated a 2-1
series victory.
That India had at least 167 to defend was largely down to Dhoni, who was
Man of the Match for his captaincy and his 36 off 55 balls, and Jadeja.
Having left out Virender Sehwag to give Rahane a run, India lost three
early wickets to the pace and swing of Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan.
And they continued to struggle against Saeed Ajmal, who dismissed Suresh
Raina and Ashwin off successive deliveries on his way to a five-wicket
haul. India were 111 for 6 in the 29th over. Dhoni immediately carted
Hafeez for his third six over deep midwicket and in a later over he
inflicted the blow - a flat smash - that forced the Pakistan opener down
the order.
Dhoni fell in the 35th over and Jadeja, because he was running out of
partners, began to attack and score what he could. He hit a towering
straight six off Umar Gul, and another off Ajmal over cow corner, but
his riposte ended on 27. India were dismissed in the 44th over, but the
wasted resources did not cost them the game.
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