By Gaurang
September 24 2012

Alec Stewart had recently opined that Ratings are irrelevant.  I suppose he would be be singing the same tune now.

India ranked 7th in Twenty20 Internationals crushed the defending champions and current world No. 1 rated side in a "no stake" match in Colombo.  The numbers are revealing in themselves.  India went in without three of their first choice players who were rested.  They still defeated England by 90 runs their largest margin of victory in T20Is.  To add insult to injury, England's 80 was its lowest score ever in a T20I as well. 

The match also saw the return of Harbhajan Singh who skittled 4 English wickets for 13 runs in his 4 overs, two of which were maidens.  Irfan Pathan was pressed into the role of opener, bringing back memories of the tactic that Greg Chappell had used and which ultimately confused a youngster, who did not know whether he was a batsman who bowled or a bowler who batted or a genuine all rounder.  Dhoni has repeatedly denigrated Irfan by saying the team lacked a genuine all rounder.  The good thing is that no longer is Irfan a callow youngster, but rather a mature player, who has seen a lot of the rough with the smooth, and is unlikely to let outside opinions and labels distract him.

He shared in a 24 run opening partnership with fellow southpaw Gambhir, and then proceeded to dismiss the top order batsmen, Hales and Wright, to set his side on the road to a crushing win.  By his performance and form and even more so by his desire and focus, he may turn out to be India's ace in the hole as they look to add the Twenty20 title to their current title of World Cup Champions. .

India Crush World Champs

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 24/09/2012 19:42

Indian Cricket Fever
24/09/2012 19:42

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:10:06:21:51:57 by Birbal.

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Max
25/09/2012 06:17

Birbal, good point about Irfan. He is now more mature and is unlikely to let his batting responsibilities affect his bowling. But I still don't want him opening. Irfan is a bowling allrounder, not a batting one. Good to see the swing back btw, at a decent pace too.

India - World Cup winners 2011!!!
Champions Trophy winners 2013!!!
Congrats to Indian team and all Indian fans!

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Meet_New_Mr_India
26/09/2012 19:35

And we move to #3 in T20 rankings from #7.. :-)

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Birbal
27/09/2012 02:32

Wow what a HUGE swing in one match....

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Birbal
27/09/2012 02:35

Wonder if Reciprocally England PLUMMETED to 4th from No. 1...?....

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