Sehwag and Praveen's brilliance apart, there was not much to write home about India's win

Sehwag is India's lone ranger in Dambulla

Sehwag and Praveen's brilliance apart, there was not much to write home about India's win

It was a fine victory for India in the crunch match against New Zealand yesterday. The pressure was on Dhoni and Co. It was a must-win situation and more importantly, their reputation was at stake after the eight-wicket humiliation inflicted by the home team in the grudge match played earlier.

Victory, as always, has lifted the spirits. But, the euphoria of a win usually overshadows the negatives. While the mood in the Indian camp is upbeat following their 105-run win and entry into the final, it does not augur well that it has been achieved on the shoulders of the same two players ufffd Virender Sehwag and Praveen Kumar ufffd who have done well for India throughout the tri-series.

India's main headache ufffd the middle-order batting ufffd flopped yet again, causing the alarm bells to ring.
"Looking at the overall picture, the feeling is of concern about the batting line-up. On the other hand, it is a reflection of the team's strength that it has reached the final despite the poor form of the entire middle-order," said Lalchand Rajput, who was incharge during India's famous CB Series win in Australia in 2008 and the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 triumph.

Super Viru
Sehwag, who has played like a lone ranger in Dambulla, hit a superb counter-attacking hundred (105 off 93 balls) to help India to a fighting total against New Zealand. Skipper M S Dhoni was the only other batsman to provide some sort of resistance, scoring 37 runs.

Yuvraj Singh, who showed glimpses of returning to form in the last game against Sri Lanka, was out for six; Suresh Raina flopped again and was dismissed for one; while Virat Kohli fell for eight.

"A player of Yuvraj's calibre should have taken the team through. He's a seasoned campaigner. Jadeja struggles when the ball moves because of his technical flaws. Though on placid, flat tracks, he's a handy bat lower down the order. In Raina's case, it's a minor hiccup, he's doing well and will bounce back," said Rajput, analysing India's batting woes.

Rohit Sharma, who failed to come to terms with the conditions, was finally relieved of his misery and left out of yesterday's game. "Sharma has been a disappointment. He's a class player and there were a lot of expectations from him," said Rajput.

Ball selection
The former India opener felt the Indian team, on this tour, has become a one-man show. "It's been a case of ufffd if Sehwag plays, India will win. He's taken his game to another level. He's playing in his natural style but his ball selection has been much better," opined Rajput.

"In the chase against Sri Lanka (second game), when the new ball was swinging, he was very quiet initially and anchored the team home. Yesterday, too he showed a lot of character and took the responsibility."

The win has set up a mouthwatering clash against the home team as Dhoni's men will be thirsting for revenge given the recent acrimony.