Rain doesn't dampen Dhawan
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the final of the Champions Trophy
George Dobell and Nagraj Gollapudi at Edgbaston
23-Jun-2013
Shikhar Dhawan played a flamboyant uppercut for six • Getty Images
Shot of the day
Many players, resuming after a rain break, would nudge the ball off their hip or steal a single to the left hand of cover to get themselves back into the swing of things. But not Shikhar Dhawan. Facing the first ball after yet another break, Dhawan, with both feet off the ground, swatted a bouncer from Stuart Broad over third man for six. It was the stroke of the day from the batsman of the tournament.
Many players, resuming after a rain break, would nudge the ball off their hip or steal a single to the left hand of cover to get themselves back into the swing of things. But not Shikhar Dhawan. Facing the first ball after yet another break, Dhawan, with both feet off the ground, swatted a bouncer from Stuart Broad over third man for six. It was the stroke of the day from the batsman of the tournament.
Reception of the day
If England had hopes they may benefit from home support, they were dashed as soon as the public address listed the two teams. While each India name was greeted with cheers, the names of the England players were met with boos. The reaction was generally in good humour, but it did underline the dominance of Indian supporters inside Edgbaston. This may have been a home game for England in terms of geography and the conditions, but it could have been Mumbai or Kolkata for the character of the crowd.
If England had hopes they may benefit from home support, they were dashed as soon as the public address listed the two teams. While each India name was greeted with cheers, the names of the England players were met with boos. The reaction was generally in good humour, but it did underline the dominance of Indian supporters inside Edgbaston. This may have been a home game for England in terms of geography and the conditions, but it could have been Mumbai or Kolkata for the character of the crowd.
Moment of the day
Alastair Cook was quoted - almost certainly incorrectly - by the ICC's transcription service of saying what a shame it would be if the weather rendered this game "a damp squid". But, despite all the stoppages and delays, the full house crowd sat through the rain and chilly winds admirably patiently and the ground remained all but full when the game reached its climax. Indeed, such was the crowd's enthusiasm, that perhaps the biggest roar of the day came when the groundstaff pulled off the covers. The groundstaff, supported by the "cricketeers" deserved the appreciation, too: they did a superb job in managing to get the pitch and outfield in any sort of condition to hold a game despite torrential rain.
Alastair Cook was quoted - almost certainly incorrectly - by the ICC's transcription service of saying what a shame it would be if the weather rendered this game "a damp squid". But, despite all the stoppages and delays, the full house crowd sat through the rain and chilly winds admirably patiently and the ground remained all but full when the game reached its climax. Indeed, such was the crowd's enthusiasm, that perhaps the biggest roar of the day came when the groundstaff pulled off the covers. The groundstaff, supported by the "cricketeers" deserved the appreciation, too: they did a superb job in managing to get the pitch and outfield in any sort of condition to hold a game despite torrential rain.
Wicket of the day
MS Dhoni has earned a reputation as a player at his best in big matches and when his team are under pressure. So when he strode to the crease to join Virat Kohli with his side in some trouble, Indian hopes were still high. But when he uppercut his second delivery from the excellent Ravi Bopara directly to third man, the sighs of disappointment that reverberated around the ground told their own story. The dismissal completed a double-wicket maiden and reduced India to 66 for 5 at the end of the 13th over.
MS Dhoni has earned a reputation as a player at his best in big matches and when his team are under pressure. So when he strode to the crease to join Virat Kohli with his side in some trouble, Indian hopes were still high. But when he uppercut his second delivery from the excellent Ravi Bopara directly to third man, the sighs of disappointment that reverberated around the ground told their own story. The dismissal completed a double-wicket maiden and reduced India to 66 for 5 at the end of the 13th over.
Drop of the day
The plan was evident. With less than three overs remaining and the score still below 100, Kohli had to look for boundaries. He was aware that Broad would bowl short on the off stump, so one of his options was to attempt the uppercut to take advantage of third man, Jonathan Trott, being up inside the circle. Even Trott anticipated the ball might come towards him so when Broad started to run in he took a couple of steps back. On cue, Kohli tried to carve the ball over third man, but failed to make full contact and sent the ball flying towards Trott just above head height. Perhaps surprised by the pace at which the ball reached him, Trott could only deflect the ball and Kohli took a single. Had the catch been taken, India would have been reduced to 98 for 6.
The plan was evident. With less than three overs remaining and the score still below 100, Kohli had to look for boundaries. He was aware that Broad would bowl short on the off stump, so one of his options was to attempt the uppercut to take advantage of third man, Jonathan Trott, being up inside the circle. Even Trott anticipated the ball might come towards him so when Broad started to run in he took a couple of steps back. On cue, Kohli tried to carve the ball over third man, but failed to make full contact and sent the ball flying towards Trott just above head height. Perhaps surprised by the pace at which the ball reached him, Trott could only deflect the ball and Kohli took a single. Had the catch been taken, India would have been reduced to 98 for 6.
Opportunism of the day
It was in the ninth over. England had gone without a boundary for five overs. Ian Bell had been around from the beginning and appeared in circumspect mood, though he had also been denied much of the strike. Ravindra Jadeja was getting the ball to spin away. MS Dhoni added a short gully to the first slip to challenge Bell, one of the better English batsman of spin. Jadeja pitched on the off and middle. Bell had made up his mind as he took a forward step and reverse swept. There was enough power in the stroke to make it to the boundary.
It was in the ninth over. England had gone without a boundary for five overs. Ian Bell had been around from the beginning and appeared in circumspect mood, though he had also been denied much of the strike. Ravindra Jadeja was getting the ball to spin away. MS Dhoni added a short gully to the first slip to challenge Bell, one of the better English batsman of spin. Jadeja pitched on the off and middle. Bell had made up his mind as he took a forward step and reverse swept. There was enough power in the stroke to make it to the boundary.