Top “CLASS” Order

Top “CLASS” Order

 The Cricket world cup just ended with an expected dominant Australian side registering their name as the rightful owners of the trophy for the 5^th time. We at Cricrace are reviewing the performance of the Indian cricket team which did their best and made us proud. This article is about the much celebrated and glorified Indian top order. With the likes of Tendulkar, Ganguly, Sehwag, Gambhir, representing the Indian top order in the last few editions of the cricket world cup, this time we had a much younger, promising and equally capable top order line up.

Total Top order Runs: 1047

Percentage: 53%

100S/50s: 4/3

Rohit Sharma:

        The Hitman as they call him started the WC campaign in a rather substandard way. He made 15 and 0 against Pakistan and South Africa respectively  which was a disappointing start considering his 150 against UAE in the warm up match and of course his talent. But he came back stronger in the later part of the tournament. His innings against Bangladesh reminds us of his potential and ability to play Big innings when the team needed. His role was to provide a solid start, being cautious and play through the new ball. He ticked all the above boxes in his checklist and in the semis he was tipped as the crucial player for India’s success. In 2012 Tri series in Australia, Dhoni followed the infamous rotational policy for his 3 openers to allow Rohit to play in middle order and gain the experience, so that in 2015 he can perform well. Looking at his average in this tournament 47, which is way higher than his career average, we have to appreciate Dhoni for his bold move which had brought lot of criticism back then.

Runs: 330

Percentage: 16.5%

Top order runs Percentage: 31%

100/50s: 1/2

Replacement of (2011 WC squad): Sachin Tendulkar

Cricrace rating: 7.5

Shikar Dhawan:

            With absolutely nothing expected out of him, Dhawan went on to become the leading run getter for India in this world cup. His unfortunate run out against Pakistan were it all began, meant that he has to wait for his maiden world cup hundred. But the wait was over within a week time, against South Africa were he scored one of the most scintillating hundred that one can ever score. The innings is more than just about the runs or boundaries that he scored. It brought back the confidence among the Indian fans that their beloved team has in fact turned it around in the world cup after their disastrous Test and tri series. Dhawan was the low point of the India’s tour in Australia where he was even dropped from last test, but he was able come back stronger. Until that point WE WON’T GIVE IT BACK was the most mocked and trolled advertisement, but after this innings which helped India win by 130 runs, it became the most Passionate 5 words for an Indian to say for the next 4 weeks. His good form continued till the semis where he once again raised the hopes of an Indian win, but this time he was just able to do the role he was assigned, a quick start.

Runs: 412

Percentage: 21%

Top order runs Percentage: 40%

100/50s: 2/1

Replacement of (2011 WC squad): Virender Sehwag

Cricrace rating: 8.5

Virat Kohli:

        Coming back from a very successful Test series where he showed his class against a fiery Australian attack, Virat landed a magnificent century in the first game of the world cup, like he did in 2011 world cup. He played a crucial knock with Dhawan in the important game against South Africa. But that was the last meaningful innings he played in the world cup. By his standards it was a below par performance from him, considering the form and potential he has. Taking over from Gambhir as the No.3 batsman post 2011 world cup Kohli became the best Indian batsman in ODIs. With record number of centuries in chases and unbelievable consistency, it’s fair to say that he carried the same amount of expectations that Sachin had in his time. His way of dismissals was a disappointment for the Indian fans especially in semis against Australia where he was facing Johnson outside the batting crease, which didn't make much sense. One can say he averaged above 50 in this world cup what more can we expect. But he is by no means an ordinary player. He is a Very Special player, perhaps once in a generation kind of player, who the fans worship and want him to win matches for India. He has done it in the past and there is no doubt that he will do it in the future with or without Anushka Sharma watching his game.

Runs: 305

Percentage: 15.5%

Top order runs Percentage: 29%

100/50s: 1/0

Replacement of (2011 WC squad): Gautam Gambhir

Cricrace rating: 6

For any team to be successful in ODI, their top three has to score the 50% of the total score and the Indian top order just did that in this world cup which is a commendable achievement. We have to accept that we were beaten by a good team on their home turf and that’s the way the game is played. India didn't qualify to semis by luck or neither did they struggle to qualify. They won every game like the defending champions with big margins and bowling out oppositions in seven straight matches until semis. So instead of burning effigies and trolling players, we must feel proud of our team for Putting up a brave fight. We must not forget the fact that these players are in their mid 20s and come 2019 world cup they would be much better players and WE WILL TAKE IT BACK!!

          -Aswin Palaniappan