They say “fortune favours the brave.” India have been very brave in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and extremely fortunate too. One will have to give it to the men in blue considering the disastrous test series and the tri series going against them. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 though has been a different story altogether. In almost every match the rub of the green has gone India’s way.
Here we look at five such instances where the Gods favoured the Indians:
1. Umar Akmal drops Virat Kohli
The opening match for both the teams and a very highly anticipated encounter between the arch rivals saw the Indians getting lucky. The centurion from that match and India’s ace batsman Virat Kohli was dropped behind the stumps by the stand-in wicketkeeper Umar Akmal. The Indians then went on to win that match and things could have been different had the catch been taken.
2. Umar Akmal’s controversial DRS decision
Technology is here to help but it would be fair to say that it went against Umar Akmal. At a very crucial stage of the match when the game was evenly poised Dhoni appealed from behind the stumps for a caught behind chance. The umpire ruled in favour of the batsman and the Indian captain promptly asked for the decision to be reviewed. The ‘snicko’ did not show a definitive edge but the benefit of the doubt went in favour of the fielding team.
3. Hamilton Masakadza drops Suresh Raina
India were in a spot of bother at 155/4 and chasing 287 for victory an upset loomed large on the cards. Suresh Raina skied a Sikandar Raza delivery to short fine leg only for Hamilton Masakadza to drop a sitter. Raina eventually went on to score a century and take India to the finishing line.
4. Rohit Sharma no-ball against Bangladesh
While on 90, Rohit Sharma pulled a full toss straight down the throat of deep square leg. Bangladesh was busy celebrating when the square leg umpire signalled it a no ball. The replays eventually showed that it was a 50-50 decision and it could have gone either way. Sharma went on to score a magnificent century and India won the match quite convincingly.
5. Hashim Amla drops Dhawan
The occasion was the group encounter between the Proteas and the Indians. While on 52 Shikhar Dhawan was dropped by Hashim Amla at point off the bowling of Wayne Parnell. The drop proved lucky for the Indians as Dhawan went on to score a brilliant century. As it turned out the match went in favour of the Indians and they turned out to be clear winners.
It is quite evident that Lady Luck has gone with India. But the big question is for how long?
