Thursday, September 13, 2007

India vs Pakistan: Should India Bat First?

India will play their last group stage match against Pakistan on Friday. The match is now in the center of attraction in Twenty20 world cup 2007. This is going to be the first India vs Pakistan match of this year. So, cricket fans are waiting for the match. Pakistan has won their first match against Scotland. So, Pakistan is now under less pressure. On the other hand, India is now really under pressure as their first match against Scotland did not take place because of heavy rain. So, India is to share points with Scotland which means India must have to win against Pakistan to qualify for the super eight round. If India loses the match then they have to go though a complex calculation of net run rate to get into the super eight round leaving Scotland behind.

So, from the very beginning India has to remember the factor of net rate. That is why, I think, India should bat first if they can win the toss. If India bats later then they have to face two targets; one is to beat Pakistan and other is to qualify for the next round. So, Indian batsmen will be in big trouble to cope up with two targets. They will go under a huge pressure. That is why, batting first will be an advantage for India.

Another reason behind India’s batting first is dew factor. India vs Pakistan match will be held in evening in South Africa. The match will stat at around 6pm local time. I guess, the team who will bat later will face the dew problem. So, it is better to bat first and throw a huge total to Pakistan to chase. Then Pakistan will fall under pressure.

Anyway, anything can happen in the match. In the cricket world, India vs Pakistan match always attracts the people. Before the match against Scotland, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that India would bat first if they win the toss. So, it is more or less clear that India will bat first against Pakistan. No doubt, that will be good decision for India. Now, let us see if Dhoni changes his decision before the match against Pakistan.


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