A Lesson of Mohali

Some things are blessings in disguise. India giving away 17 runs off wides at Mohali was one such blessing. But for these extra runs, a world record chase would never have been possible, and the victory, certainly, not so sweet!

But in most matches such blessings can easily become a curse. Our calculations show that 16 more runs were added in 7th and 8th balls of such overs.

India, in all, gave away 33 runs off wides, and the extra deliveries. The massive 6 off the 7th ball of the final over was a fitting tribute to India's indiscipline. In a perfect case scenario, that is with no wides, Sri Lanka would have ended at 173 in their 20 overs, and not 206 in 23! The first 7 overs saw 14 runs off wide deliveries alone. And 8 runs off additional 9 balls meant 83/1 in 7 overs had 22 runs courtesy wrong line.

Of course, bowlers are likely to be more relaxed in a 50 over format and one can expect better control over line. That will be of utmost important as batsmen can't always be expected to repeat the performance of Mohali. No team in the world can afford to give so many runs free, and expect its winning momentum to continue. Even if it is India at home!