India v United Arab Emiratres
Wisden's review of the 21st match, India v United Arab Emiratres
15-Apr-2016
At Perth, February 28, 2015 (day/night). India won by nine wickets. Toss: United Arab Emirates.
The UAE unravelled in haste, first against disciplined and energetic seam and swing, then against canny, skilful spin. Ashwin's off-breaks proved especially troublesome. Changing his pace and trajectory, but resorting to variations only sparingly, he winkled out the heart of the batting to finish with a career-best four for 25 - the best figures by a spinner in a one-day international at the WACA since 1991-92, when Ravi Shastri, now the Indian team director, took five for 15 against Australia. Krishnachandran popped a catch to leg slip to depart for a laboured four from 27 balls, Swapnil Patil edged an armball, and Khurram Khan chose the wrong delivery to sweep, gloving to slip. A spritely 35 from Shaiman Anwar, who put on 31 for the last wicket with Guruge - comfortably the highest stand of the innings - just about pushed the UAE into three figures, but not to a total that was going to trouble India. Dhawan fell early, before Rohit Sharma helped himself to an unbeaten 57; India got over the line with 187 balls to spare. Dhoni said the Associate nations deserved more opportunities against Full Members, before adding: "Not against India." ANAND VASU
Man of the Match: R. Ashwin.
The UAE unravelled in haste, first against disciplined and energetic seam and swing, then against canny, skilful spin. Ashwin's off-breaks proved especially troublesome. Changing his pace and trajectory, but resorting to variations only sparingly, he winkled out the heart of the batting to finish with a career-best four for 25 - the best figures by a spinner in a one-day international at the WACA since 1991-92, when Ravi Shastri, now the Indian team director, took five for 15 against Australia. Krishnachandran popped a catch to leg slip to depart for a laboured four from 27 balls, Swapnil Patil edged an armball, and Khurram Khan chose the wrong delivery to sweep, gloving to slip. A spritely 35 from Shaiman Anwar, who put on 31 for the last wicket with Guruge - comfortably the highest stand of the innings - just about pushed the UAE into three figures, but not to a total that was going to trouble India. Dhawan fell early, before Rohit Sharma helped himself to an unbeaten 57; India got over the line with 187 balls to spare. Dhoni said the Associate nations deserved more opportunities against Full Members, before adding: "Not against India." ANAND VASU
Man of the Match: R. Ashwin.