Indian fans enjoy their team's performance against UAE in Perth.
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Winning three-in-a-row is good. Winning three on-the-trot by huge margins, however, is absolutely great. Just ask MS Dhoni.
Team India has indeed played great cricket in World Cup 2015 so far. Captain Dhoni though says there is no secret formula and that sheer hard-work from his players who are backed by passionate fans each time they come out, is reflecting on the string of emphatic triumphs. (Scorecard )
India registered their third win on Saturday when the defending champions outclassed minnows United Arab Emirates by 9 wickets in Perth. Courtesy yet another comprehensive performance, the defending champions consolidated their position at the top of Pool B. (Match report )
"There is no secret to our success," said Dhoni after the match. "The boys are taking more responsibility and it is helping us win. Of course, playing in front of packed houses is always good and the fans here have been great."
Fans have indeed had a lot to cheer about after what was a forgettable Test and tri-nation ODI series Down Under. Critics and skeptics had joined hands in doubting India's ability to defend the World Cup after the side lost the Test series to Australia and also crashed out of the ODI series which featured England. Batting was wobbly and bowling looked shamelessly exposed.
Not any more though.
"When we were losing quite a few games outside the sub-continent, it was an area of concern that we were not getting wickets in the middle overs," said Dhoni. "Now we are getting wickets with the new ball and the spinners are able to put more pressure on the batsmen in the middle overs. We have to continue with the good effort."
The good effort has come on the back of torrid bowling from the pacers early on, helping the slower bowlers buy their wickets with ease. On Saturday, for instance, Umesh Yadav bowled with intent early on and got the ball to do what it does best on the WACA track - hit the deck and take off! All Ravichandran Ashwin had to do was find the right spots and walk away with a career-best figure of 4 for 25 - the man of the match award in tow.
"When it comes to this format (50 overs), I'm pretty much unselfish," said Ashwin after the match. "It doesn't matter if I get the numbers or not as long as I put in the effort required."
It is this focus on effort rather than the eventual result that is paying India rich dividends. Ashwin (8 wickets) is the third-highest wicket-taker in Pool B - after South Africa's Imran Tahir and West Indies' Jerome Taylor (9 each). In batting statistics, Shikhar Dhawan is the second-highest run getter in the tournament so far.
On the field, the Indians have the distinction of bagging 21 catches and spilling just one. And that one dropped catch did not miss the attention of perfectionist Dhoni who is otherwise mightily pleased with the performance.
"The bowlers have really stepped up, and in a team sport it starts to reflect in other departments too. We dropped one catch today but the fielding has been brilliant."
India next take on West Indies in Perth next Friday. While West Indies' bowlers are likely to make more use of the pacey Perth wicket than UAE could, the Men in Blue will look to maintain their blemish-free record. A win will seal a spot in the quarterfinals. A loss though can be a hiccup in what has been a flawless effort.
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