Dhoni v Holder: Tale of Two Captains
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In Friday's World Cup 2015 pool B clash between India and the West Indies in Perth, two men on either sides of a spectrum face-off.� It's a clash between David and Goliath!
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Jason Holder exemplify a contrasting tale of two skippers. The grey-haired, cool-headed, 33-year-old Dhoni carries his side forward towards another shot at glory in ICC events while the young, amateurish 23-year-old Holder marshals his troops with the growing pressures of an early, unceremonious exit. (Virat Kohli Controversy )
As it stands
With three wins in as many games, India sit pretty atop Pool B - the "Group of Death" at the World Cup. Second-placed South Africa have as many points as India (6) but have played one extra game. The tussle for the last two spots is between West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland. All three teams have four points each with Ireland having played one less fixture than the other two. (Virat Kohli Warned by BCCI )
After a shaky start to the tournament, Pakistan are on the mend while the Irish continue to be relentless in their surge towards last-8. However, Pakistan face the South African scrutiny on March 7, while Ireland have the Indian challenge on March 10. With such narrow margins, a win for Holder & Co. against India on Friday will strengthen their chances of making the knockouts.
The art of finishing
The equations of making it to the next round will linger on Holder's mind but the tall, galloping pacer needs to start afresh against India. (Showdown between Force of Gayle vs Guile of Ashwin )
Less than a week ago, South Africa's AB de Villiers hammered Holder all over the ground to take 64 runs off his final 12 deliveries.� Against India, Holder needs to begin afresh. More often than not, Holder has started his bowling spells with a lot of discipline but has failed to be clinical at the finish. His counterpart on Friday, Dhoni, can serve as an excellent case study on the importance of mastering art of finishing.
It was Sachin Tendulkar's rich endorsement that handed Dhoni Indian team's captaincy in 2008. Dhoni took over at a time when the old guard was on its way out and carried the team through the transition phase to build a world-class World Cup-winning side.
Holder, on chief selector Clive Lloyd's recommendations, has been ushered in to pick up a team crippled by internal turmoil, resurrect it and lay the foundation for a brighter future.
The pressure is on Holder but Friday presents a good opportunity to ease some of it. Can the West Indian bowlers rally around their young skipper and rattle Team India on a fast-paced WACA wicket? Can West Indies exploit the slightest sighting of complacency, if any, from Dhoni & Co.?
On the occasion of the festival of colours, can West Indies give Team India the blues?
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