Battered and bruised by yet another series defeat, India’s struggling cricketers will seek to restore some pride when they go into the third and final One-day international against arch-rivals Pakistan at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi on Sunday (January 6) with the future of some of the under-performing stars at stake.
Pakistan have a perfect record at this ground. They have won only match played against India here. India, on the other hand, have won 10, lost five and abandoned one in 16 one day internationals played at this ground.
The hosts will need a huge spark of inspiration to prevent the spirited Pakistanis from achieving a 3-0 clean sweep. India have been whitewashed at home only once, by West Indies, who were intent on payback after the World Cup-final loss, in 1983-84.
Pakistan recorded a 159-run victory over India in the only match played at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground. In front of their president, Pervez Musharraf, and Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, almost every batsman contributed. Shahid Afridi threatened a repeat of previous match at Kanpur, with 44 in 23 balls, and a chillingly composed 72 from Shoaib Malik gave the innings a solid base. Mohammed Yousuf Yand Inzamam-ul-Haq made languid fifties, both terminated by doubtful decisions, and an impromptu 40 from Younis Khan helped them accelerate to 303 for eight in 50 overs. Then, fired up after Naved-ul-Hasan dismissed Virender Sehwag asnd Pakistan’s bowlers and fielders did the rest as a newly laid pitch crumbled alarmingly. There was a 20-minute interruption when Mohammad Kaif was sixth out at 94 and disgruntled spectators threw bottles on to the field. It would not have soured the sweetness of Pakistan’s biggest one-day win by runs over India. India’s were all out in 144 in 37 overs, their lowest total at this ground.
Staging cricket in north India is a challenge in winter. Ranji Trophy matches have all been hit by fog and bad light. The groundsman, Venkat Sundaram, has been quoted in press saying he has always asked the BCCI to not stage matches in Delhi at this time of the year. In fact, Feroz Shah Kotla has hosted only three international matches in January.
However, Venkat Sundaram says the pitch is ready. The match strip produced a result in three days and a bit in the first-class match between Delhi and Odisha in November, but don’t expect such help for seamers in the One dayer
The temperature is likely to swing between 4C and 15C. Fog and dew will be factors too, which is why we have the game starting at noon.
ONE DAY MATCHES AT KOTLA
Team P W L N/R Success%
India 16 10 5 1 65.62
Pakistan 1 1 – – 100.00
Pak v Ind 1 1 – – 100.00
HIGHEST INNINGS TOTALS:
India: 289-6 in 50 overs vs Australia 22-10-1987
289-3 in 50 overs vs New Zealand 03-11-1994
Pakistan: 303-8 in 50 overs vs India 17-04-2005
LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS:
India: 144 in 37 overs vs Pakistan 17-04-2005
Pakistan: No instance
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES:
India: 137 Sachin Tendulkar vs Sri Lanka 02-03-1996
Pakistan: 72 Shoaib Malik vs India 17-04-2005
BEST BOWLING PERFORMANCES:
India: 5-31 Harbhajan Singh vs England 28-03-2006
Pakistan: 3-33 Arshad Khan vs India 17-04-2005.
