India will look to make it three wins in a row at the 2015 World Cup when they take on the inexperienced UAE at the WACA in Perth. You can follow the live scores of this Group B game from 5:30pm (AEDT).
It’s been a stunning and unexpected start for India.
While they had started off favourites against Pakistan in their opener, not too many gave them a chance of winning against one of the pre-tournament favourites, South Africa.
However, a superb performance with the bat, that saw Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane help the side compile more than 300, laid the foundation of a shock victory over the Proteas.
What made that win even sweeter was the way they bowled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a suite that’s often considered their Achilles Heel.
All of a sudden, a team that was expected to finish outside the top two, hence with a chance to take on either Australia or New Zealand in their quarter-final, could even end up top of the table by the end of the group stage.
Of course that will only happen if they win all of their remaining games, given the way South Africa roared back into contention with a thumping rout of West Indies on Friday.
The UAE are playing in only their second World Cup. The first time they featured in the tournament was way back in 1996 and ended on one win – one over the Dutch. They have started off well in this edition but have unfortunately not been able to convert that into a victory.
What will worry the UAE is that their first two games in the tournament were expected to be their easiest – one against Zimbabwe and then versus Ireland. They batted well in both those games but their bowling was mediocre.
In both Shaiman Anwar has top-scored for the UAE, making 67 and 106 respectively, and he will hope for another three-figure score against one of the top Test-playing nations. But the bowling unit, led by captain Mohammad Tauqir, must show some wherewithal or run the risk of being steamrolled.
As far as the playing XIs are concerned, Mohammad Shami’s injury should give either Stuart Binny or Bhuvneshwar Kumar a chance to make the side. UAE could go into the game with the same XI as their previous match.
You can follow the live scores of this India vs UAE World Cup encounter from 5:30pm (AEDT) and post your comments in the section below.
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems Raz. Sorry about the limited nature.
raz
Guest
Thanks for the coverage scott.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on the Roar this evening for the limited coverage I could provide you with. Keep it tuned to the roar for all things sport and the Cricket World Cup. Both of tomorrows game should be live blogged. England vs Sri Lanka from 9 am AEDT will be covered by Suneer and the other game between Pakistan and Zimbabwe at the Gabba from 2:30pm AEDT will be blogged by myself so be sure to join the Roar for those. Have a good night.
Scott Pryde
Expert
There it is, brought up with a 4 to Rohit Sharma. At the end of the day Rohit Sharma ends up on 57 from 55 balls and Virat Kohli on 33 from 41 balls . At the end of the day India were just too goo and that is the first real demolition of an associate member nation at the 2015 world cup. India were ruthless in the field and the United Arab Emirates couldn't handle the heat in Perth, particularly from Ravi Ashwin. After rolling the UAE for just 102, they Sharma and Kohli batted solidly and the UAE just never matched up to the task once India turned the heat on. MATCH SUMMARY: United Arab Emirates 10/102 (31.3) (Anwar 35 [62], Ashwin 4/25 [10]) lost to India 1/104 (18.5) (Sharma 55 [57], Kohli 33 [41]) By 9 Wickets
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right we are back on. India need 15 runs and the unlikely event is that the UAE need 9 wickets. 6 from the first over which is bowled by Taquir and it includes a smashing cut shot off a short wide ball that races away for a boundary and takes Rohit Sharma to 52. 1/94 (17) - 9 runs required
Scott Pryde
Expert
So India absolutely dominating the game so far and will just need to come back out for a few overs one would imagine to finish the job against the United Arab Emirates, who wont stop fighting, but ultimately just haven't been good enough, Rohit Sharma sits on 47 whilst Virat Kohli sits on 27. This dinner break really is a joke of a rule. What if it was to rain during the break? A no result is achieved? At the end of the day there has to be something in the rules for the umpires discretion to say the game should finish within half an hour and therefore we keep playing. Ideally the way I would have it is so that the main break is taken whenever the change of innings is. Back in about half an hour hopefully for the resumption of play.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Would India have a crack was the question? The answer. A flat no. They just work this Chandran over around for singles and doubles and take 5 from it. Decent over from Chandran. Now we have to painfully break for dinner when India only need 15 runs to win. India 1/88 (16)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Rohit Sharma goes bang bang and gets 2 fours off essentially the same shot and the same ball from Taquir who bowls his first over. Takes him to 45 at better than a run a ball now which is positive after a slow start. Should be one more over before the break which will be bowled by Chandran. India need 20. Will they have a crack? India 1/83 (15)
Scott Pryde
Expert
India have started to really accelerate now despite loosing Shikar Dhawan, Kohli and Sharma are putting in an attempt to increase the net run rate and possibly it was to beat the lunch break but with that being only 5 minutes away supposedly that wont be happening. For Afghanistan Naveed has looked threatening but has been expensive while Gurunge has kept things tight. Unfortunately they were just never really in the game. India 1/72 (14) Sharma 35 (39), Kohli 23 (29), Gurunge 1/35 (5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
India don't seem overly worried about pushing the point here and why would they? Time in the middle is key during the pool games if you are afforded the opportunity to bat sensibly. 0/10 (4) Sharma 8(14), Dhawan 2 (11)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Solid start from India as Dahwan and Sharma get themselves acquainted to the WACA pitch. Freemantle doctor coming across as well. India 0/5 (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Players are on their way out for the second innings. Naveed will open the bowling for the UAE whilst Rohit Sharma will take the first ball with Dahwan at the other end. India 0/0 (0.0) - require 103 from 50 overs
Scott Pryde
Expert
The UAE have made a half recovery to get to 102. Anwar batted really well to end up on 35 from 49 balls whilst Gurunge the tailender ended up chipping in a handy 10. Yadav was the man who picked up the last wicket and even though it took India a while to get that last wicket a dominant display from them. India will have about an hour and 10 minutes before the main long break is taken, otherwise they will have to keep batting after that. UAE ALL OUT 102
Scott Pryde
Expert
Anwar edges for another pair... Will look for a single off the last ball and despite his best efforts cant get one. Guruge will be on strike to face Ravi Ashwin. UAE 9/78 (26) - Anwar 21 (32)
Scott Pryde
Expert
It would seem to me that one of the UAE's biggest problems is trying to play everything against the spin instead of own the ground or hitting with the spin. Ashwin with some extra bounce from the WACA wicket is all over them. Meanwhile the UAE start the 26th over with an edge that runs away for a boundary from Anwar. The more strike he has the more runs the UAE should end up scoring one would think... Well its certainly better than having the tail enders on strike. UAE 9/76 (25.3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
The United Arab Emirates collapse continues and we are in for an early finish here one way or another. The UAE Are now 9 wickets down as Anwar has at least moved to 13 and is providing some sort of resistance. Ravi Ashwin has continued to bowl well, getting good variation and turn with his spin and now has 4/16 off 7 overs. India look very comfortable with the situation but are keeping their foot down here. The UAE meanwhile look understandably shocked on their bench. UAE 9/71 (24)
Scott Pryde
Expert
So the UAE are collapsing from one disaster to another in Perth. They currently sit 5 wickets down for just 49 runs after 18 overs. Khurran Khan (14 off 28) is the only batsman who has made it to double figures. Swapnil Patil (7) is the next highest score in the UAE line up in what is a horrible looking batting card. India have completely dominated so far and seem to be relaxing just a fraction in the field now. B Kumar and Umesh Yadav have been good for India with their opening spells in which they bowled 5 overs each. Both displayed some good pace to take 1 wicket a piece. Ravi Ashwin came on at first change and hasn't taken a step back. He is getting a fraction of turn and some very good bounce off the WACA wicket to currently have the figures 3/7 off his 4 overs. So far it is looking exactly like everything was predicted in the lead up - of course a crushing victory for India, but stranger things have happened if India completely take their foot off the pedal and relinquish control, but already being 5 wickets down it seems ridiculously unlikely. UAE 5/49 (18)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Umesh Yadav opening from the other end. Berenger goes for a short ball and it just was too quick for him. Top edge and catch taken by Dhoni. UAE 1/7 (1.4) Right, i'll be back a little bit later in the evening to continue coverage.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kumar bowls five dots and is bowling with some nice line and length and getting a bit of swing as well on the W.A.C.A wicket. Finishes the over with a poor short and wide ball that is dispatched to the point boundary by Berenger. UAE 0/6 (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Kumar starts with a wide and they run one. Not the ideal start for India. UAE 0/2 (0.0)