The Fantastico 3 who made 2-1 Come-From-Behind Series Win against Sri Lanka Possible!!

India needed to win both the games in Ranchi and Vizag after their meltdown in Pune to the swinging ball on a green pitch. And win they did, in style, securing a come from behind 2-1 victory over the depleted Sri Lankan side in the three match T20I series. This series win was very important because it gives them the bragging rights ahead of the bigger and tougher multi nation events like the Asia Cup T20I's and the World T20 where they might again run into the Lankan side.

There were several architects who made this series win possible for India. Let us look at the Fantastico 3 who made the greatest impact on the Lankans with their skills.

R Ashwin

India did not have a big score to defend at Pune and the pitch was green, aiding the pace bowlers, but that did not stop Ashwin from spinning a web around the Lankan batsmen. He claimed 3-0-13-2 to scare the Lankan's and made sure that they did not stroll to a victory. At Ranchi, on a dry pitch which offered him assistance, Dhoni called on him to open the bowling. He responded in style picking up the dangerous Dilshan in his first over and returned later to claim Shanaka and Perera to return with astounding figures of 4-0-14-3.

But it was at Vizag that he showed his full repertoire after Dhoni decided to bowl first on a batting pitch. Ashwin claimed Dilshan and Dickwella in his first over while snaffling their captain, Chandimal in his second and Gunaratne in his third over to kill the Lankan innings. His figures of 4-1-8-4 were the best ever in T20I's by an Indian bowler. He had a Fantastico series and kept the Lankan batsmen on a tight leash, they failed to read and decipher his variations completely.

Ashwin is a bowler who is at the peak of his powers, able to land the ball in the right areas with flight and guile using the multitude of variations to fool the opposition batsmen. He bowled 11 overs in total taking 9 wickets at a strike rate of only 7 while giving away only 35 runs in the bargain. He was the most impact player for India who played the biggest part in the 2-1 victory.

Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is probably the weakest link in this Indian batting line, who had a modest T20I record prior to this series but he was the highest run getter in this series and sealed his spot at the top of the order with his big hitting which helped India seize the initiative in both their victories. He blasted a 25 ball 51 at Ranchi to give them a rousing start while Rohit was struggling at the other end while making an unbeaten 46 in 46 balls while chasing the small total in the last T20I.

He made 103 runs at an average of 53 with a strike rate of 126 runs per hundred balls on pitches which were not easy to bat on this playing a very important role in India's series victory.

Ashish Nehra

He had made a dream comeback against Australia last month and had impressed with his swing and wicket taking ability with the new ball playing an important role in India's whitewash over the Australian team. But question marks remained if he would be able to bowl well on the flat Indian pitches and he responded in style by picking up 5 wickets in the three games.

He swung the new ball and provided India with an early breakthrough in every game thus pegging the Lankans back at the very start of their innings.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

The Fantastico Trio of Rohit, Shikhar and Virat

Rohit, Virat and Dhawan - Fantastico Trio for Team India in the ODI series against Australia Down Under

The Indian team may have lost the VB ODI series 1-4 to Australia but the main positive point for Team India was the batting form of openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan and also the continuing imperious form of number three Virat Kohli.

Rohit Sharma has been a perennial under achiever for the oodles of talent that he possesses. He is gradually beginning to realise his true potential and his penchant for Daddy Hundreds is now becoming something of a more common sight.

He started the series with a monstrous 171* at the WACA where his full array of shots was in full display. The powerful cuts and the languid flicks, the sumptuous cover drives made their presence felt. He followed that up with another masterclass as he made 124 at Gabba. These two totals propelled India beyond 300 in both the games but unfortunately India lost both these matches because of wayward bowling and inept fielding. He also made a 99 in the last ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground which helped India get off to good start and finally win the match in the end. In all he scored 441 runs in the 5 innings at an average of 110.25 and also maintained a strike rate of over 100 runs per hundred balls.

Virat has always done well in Australia and it was expected that he continue to do so this time around as well. He lived up to all the hype and expectations as he cracked two tons and two half centuries in the series. Virat started with a 91 and 59 before finally converting those starts in to more meaningful scores. He made 117 and 106 helping India post big scores but again India lost both these matches because of reasons mentioned above. In all, he scored 381 runs at an average of 76 and a strike rate of nearly 100.

Shikhar Dhawan started the series with two single figure score but the twirl of the moustache was back from the third ODI. He cracked a 68 in the match at MCG before making a stunning 126 off just 113 balls at Canberra. He followed these two innings with another rapid half century in the last match which set the tone for Manish Pandey and Rohit Sharma to finish off the record run chase at Sydney. He scored 287 runs at an average of almost 60 and a healthy strike rate touching 100.

These three were the Fantastico players for India and their good form with the bat augurs well for India as there is a lot of cricket to be played over the next few months including the Asia Cup and the all-important ICC WT20 2016 in March-April.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of Indian Middle Order in the WT20 2016, India

The Indian middle order consists of some of the most amazing batsmen and who are adept at pacing the innings well. If the right-left combo of Rohit and Dhawan fails to fire then the opposition will have to contend with batsmen who are amongst the very best in the shortest format of the game. These are batsmen who have sharpened and honed their skills in the IPL and will be looking to avenge India’s loss in the ICC WT20 in Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli played a superb innings in the last WT20 final against the Sri Lankans but his innings was trumped by a sublime Kumar Sangakkara as India lost the final to their neighbours.

Virat has been in scintillating form down under as he has hit two half centuries and two Fantastico tons against the Australians. He is the most complete batsman and can play in an ultra-aggressive manner as well as reign himself in and play with control when required. The cover drives and on drives are something that flow and come naturally to this kid. He has a fabulous average of above 44 in T20 internationals with a strike rate of above 130 runs per hundred balls.

His aggression and passion on the field seems to lift India and he is a live wire in the field as well blocking shots that seem to be going away from him. He is a senior member of this side and him playing well will go a long way in how far India goes in the tournament.

Impact Rating – 8/10

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is the most consistent batsmen from the Indian Premier League and is probably the best Indian batsman in the shortest format of the game. He is just almost always in the zone when it comes to T20 matches. He has a very healthy average and strike rate in T20 internationals.

He has not been in form recently and has lost his place in the Indian side for the ODI’s against the Australians but he will be back for the T20 matches. It’s a format that he rarely fails in and he will look to provide some good performances to win the selectors confidence.

He is also an electric fielder and is not afraid to throw himself in the field. He is also a very under-rated off spinner but provides India with a breakthrough whenever needed.

Impact Rating – 8/10

The Indian duo of Virat and Raina are a perfect foil for each other as they have the capability to rotate the strike as well as explode and take off suddenly as and when the situation demands. Team India will be heavily dependent on these two to score heavily especially in run chases as they play well under pressure and can anchor the chase well.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of Indian Opening Batsmen in the WT20 2016, India

India reached the finals of the WT20 the last time around where they lost convincingly to the Sri Lankans. This time they will look to go one step further and hope that the title that they won in the inaugural edition in 2007 can be reclaimed again. Indian batting remains their strong point across all formats and the shortest format is no different.

Rohit Sharma

Rohit has always been an enigma for all cricket lovers from across the world. Immensely talented he always was, there was not an iota of doubt about that but he almost never did justice to his talents. Recently though there has been a semblance of consistency that he has brought in his game though he is still prone to the odd brain fade!

Fluid movements of the wrists and a languid style of batting, he always seems to have that extra second or two while facing up to even the quickest of the bowlers. His straight drives and flicks off the pads are his best shots and are played with such ease that they leave the opposition dumb founded. His attacking stints in the IPL where he has been one of the most consistent bats and his recent ODI form where he stuck two back to back tons in Australia augur well for India.

He also has the knack for playing long innings when he gets his eye in, having stuck two double centuries in ODI cricket. He is a live wire in the field which adds to his usefulness in T20 cricket.

Impact Rating – 7.5/10

Shikhar Dhawan

The left hander waited and waited for his chance while his Delhi teammates, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir played for Team India. When he finally got a chance he astounded each and every one as he stuck the fastest test century ever by a debutant.

He has never looked back since and has become an integral part of Team India. He is a powerful striker of the cricket ball and has been a consistent bat in the Indian Premier League. He is still inexperienced in international T20’s having played only a handful of matches but has the ability to win matches for India single-handedly.

He was going through a very lean patch but having cracked a ton in Canberra against the Aussie team he might have regained his lost mojo!

Impact Rating – 6.5/10

India are a team that relies on their batting prowess to intimidate the opposition. Rohit and Dhawan are a powerful ally up the order who have the ability to run away with the game in a hurry. The impact that they can have on the opposition is immense if they can give India a sound start. That will mean that the middle order will have the license to go for their shots and flourish on the start provided by these two.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.