India beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets

India knew their place in the pecking order, and despite Afghanistan fighting constantly, they only managed 115, a score that was never likely to cause serious problems for a batting order packed with match-winners, reports Anand Vasu. See special

The moment that summed up India’s trouncing of Afghanistan came in the 18th over of the first innings. Praveen Kumar banged in a bouncer, allrounder Mohammad Nabi attempted a pull shot that would have sent the ball out of the ground, but only managed a top edge. The ball went straight up in the air for Mahendra Singh Dhoni to catch, but even before the ball was lodged safely in the wicketkeeper’s large gloves, the bowler was at the top of his mark, ready to bowl the next ball. The exuberant celebrations that have become the norm for every falling wicket were conspicuous by their absence.

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India knew their place in the pecking order, and despite Afghanistan fighting constantly, they only managed 115, a score that was never likely to cause serious problems for a batting order packed with match-winners.

The difference between the teams was not so much about talent — although that gulf was obvious and un-ignorable — but cricketing intelligence and situational awareness. Each Afghan player has probably seen more of the tough side of life than the entire Indian team, but on a cricket field, their experience pales in comparison.

Ashish Nehra was quick to realise that even on a sluggish pitch his bouncers were sharp enough to hurry the Afghan batsmen. Opening the bowling with Praveen Kumar, Nehra hit the ideal length from the word go. With the batsmen in two minds over whether to play forward or back, the bouncer, when it came, was like a bullet that picked off sitting ducks.

Three wickets before 30 was on the board ensured that there was no realistic chance of a maverick batsman running away with the game. The right-handed Noor Ali realised that there was little chance of becoming a hero, and instead provided the innings substance. Ali preferred to pierce the infield with shots along the ground and pick the gaps when he could. An invaluable half-century from Noor was well complemented by 30 from Asghar Stanikzai, who had the audacity to launch Harbhajan Singh into the stands over midwicket.

The chase was a mere formality and it was M. Vijay who made the most of the opportunity. The one tricky question for Dhoni and the think tank ahead of this game was whether to stick with the specialist opener at the top of the order or take a punt with Rohit Sharma. Vijay would have been only too aware of this, and cashed in, pacing his innings to a nicety as India cantered home by 7 wickets.