Zaheer at it again, India to meet Australia in quarters

It all started with a small incutter which missed Devon Smith's bat but didn't miss his stumps. At 154/2 and Smith was going great guns along with Ramnaresh Sarwan, 269 was suddenly looking too easy to get. But Royal Challenger Zaheer Khan's incutter provided the breakthrough skipper MS Dhoni was looking for. That wicket opened the floodgates and from a strong and winning position of 154/2, West Indies crushed to 188 thereby losing the game by 80 runs.

It all started with a small incutter which missed Devon Smith's bat but didn't miss his stumps. At 154/2 and Smith was going great guns along with Ramnaresh Sarwan, 269 was suddenly looking too easy to get. But Royal Challenger Zaheer Khan's incutter provided the breakthrough skipper MS Dhoni was looking for. That wicket opened the floodgates and from a strong and winning position of 154/2, West Indies crushed to 188 thereby losing the game by 80 runs.

The last of the league games saw Indian bowling finally raising a toast. Zaheer has been an exceptional performer for India this World Cup and he proved his worth yet again against West Indies. His 3/26 in just 6 overs proves how much Dhoni confides in him to give the crucial breakthroughs. Like the other Royal Challenger Virat Kohli who proved that the number 3 position in the Indian ODI team has his name written on it. Returning to his old position, Kohli grafted India's revival after they lost both Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir by the 9th over for 51. Sachin walked, even when the umpire said no. Gambhir was forced to walk. And Kohli then strutted remarkable partnership with star-performer and centurion Yuvraj Singh for 122 runs. Kohli's 59 gave Yuvi the confidence to go for his shots. Once in his elements, Yuvi never looked back and struck 113 to help India to 268.

However, India's middle order batting woes didn't look resolved as India lost their last 7 wickets for 51 runs on this day. The Powerplay is surely taking it toll on Indian batting strategy which the Indian think tank have to dearly think about. For, against Australia in the quarterfinals, the defending champions would give little or no chance. Though Australia is not in the best of their forms, but with a never-say-die attitude, they will come hard at the Indians.