Will Indian team win the Cricket World Cup 2015?

Last sunday lets us keep dreaming

By Boria Majumdar

As the celebrations from Sunday wind down and it dawns on Indian fans that the World Cup isn't over, what will the emphatic victory against Pakistan do to India's Cup campaign? Victory against Pakistan does a lot for team morale. It has helped redeem three months of misery and suddenly, there's a surge.

Looking ahead, the Pakistan match did provide a few answers for captain MS Dhoni as he gets ready to take on South Africa at the MCG on Sunday. First, he might want to open with Mohit Sharma ahead of Umesh Yadav in the bowling department and bring Yadav on first change. Sharma was economical while Yadav in his second spell with a slightly older ball was far more potent than he has been all through the Australian summer. And Yadav did generate some quick pace. In fact, it won't be wrong to say that it was Yadav's second spell and the two wickets off two balls that took the wind out of Pakistan's run chase. That Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are India's best spin combination was established yet again in Sunday's game. With Jadeja f it , there is a far more composed look to the Indian combination. The late batting collapse notwithstanding, the middle and lower middle order isn't looking as fragile as it has done in the recent past. Ashwin was a revelation. Three maidens in his first five overs in an ODI against a team that plays spin bowling reasonably well was quite spectacular. The ball was coming out beautifully from his hand the flight was back. He was trying to take wickets and not simply to contain – a big change from the Australia Test series.

What the Pakistan encounter did not do is answer the following questions: Is Dhoni no longer the Great Finisher? Can we say that Shikhar Dhawan is back in touch, or is that too early to say? India will need to answer these questions if they want to challenge Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. But now they can plan with a clear mind and sense of purpose. As Ramiz Raja said, "A victory like this is good enough to transform the dressing room."

Dhoni's captaincy stood out in the Pakistan game. Yes, he did not get runs. But it was refreshing to see the way he marshalled his resources. He was hunting for wickets all through and kept the pressure on Pakistan even when they threatened to mount a challenge. At 70-plus for one, we have hardly seen Dhoni attack with two close-in fielders. That's what he did with Ashwin and that's what gave India the vital second wicket breaking a key partnership for Pakistan. Again, with Yadav bowling fast, not once did Dhoni dispense with the slip. His positivity was rewarded when Yadav had Sohaib Maqsood caught at slip off the very first ball.

While there is merit in suggesting that this Pakistan side didn't have the firepower of the likes of Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail and Inzamam-ul-Haq, it was Pakistan none the less. Wearing the green jersey, they bring the same intensity out of Indian fans that we have come to associate with an India-Pakistan game. The blue invasion of Adelaide at the end of the game was evidence what this victory meant to Indian fans who had successfully colonised this beautiful Australian city for a day.

As the action moves to Melbourne and we gear up for South Africa, do spare a thought for Virat Kohli. To score a hundred under pressure is the hallmark of a champion. With India's entry into the quarter-final a certainty, one hopes Virat's individual brilliance, supported well by Suresh Raina, Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, can propel India all the way. Am I thinking too far ahead? India having beaten Pakistan by a thumping 76 runs, I'm entitled to do so!