India’s next challenge at the World Cup will be against New Zealand, but all eyes are already on next Sunday, when Virat Kohli’s men will take on Pakistan. Sentiments during a high-stakes India-Pakistan match always run high, but this time round, the stakes will be much higher because of the tensions between the two neighbours. To build the hype, broadcaster Star Sports skipped promoting the India’s match with the Kiwis and jumped straight to the Pakistan clash. To build more hype surrounding it, it has brought back the ‘Mauka Mauka’ ad that had gone viral during the 2015 World Cup.
As expected, the ad mocks Pakistan's dismal record against India in ICC events, with Pakistan failing to win a single match against the Men in Blue in World Cups so far. The video shows actor Vikas Malhotra, who plays the Pakistani son remembering his father's words on how one should keep trying and never give up. The Indian fan in the ad uses the opportunity to take the 'baap' dig on the Pakistani fan.
The viral Mauka Mauka ads had gained immense popularity last time around, but fans across the border had naturally not found it funny. But this time around, some India fans too were unimpressed and found it to be in bad taste.
India easily beat Australia at the Oval
India convincingly ended Australia's 10-match winning streak with a 36-run victory at the Oval. India won the toss, chose to bat, and paced its innings superbly, starting slowly and finishing in a rush to make 352-5. Shikhar Dhawan hit his third World Cup century, 117, and combined in an opening stand of 127 with Rohit Sharma. Captain Virat Kohli added 82. Australia's chase was slow and never got out of third gear. Half-centuries by Steve Smith (69), David Warner (56) and Alex Carey (55 not out) couldn't disguise an underwhelming game plan. They were all out for 316 on the last ball.
England thrash Bangladesh
In another clinical display, England thrashed Bangladesh by 106 runs at Cardiff on Saturday. The hosts blasted 14 sixes on way to 386 for six - their highest-ever score in a World Cup game. They have now become the first team to score 300-plus in seven consecutive ODIs, beating Australia’s record of six. It was also the biggest total ever made on this ground. The English bowlers later bowled out Bangladesh for 280 in 48.5 overs, with pacers Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes taking three wickets each. The 106-run win, was a sweet revenge after they suffered back-to-back losses against Bangladesh in 2011 and 2015 World Cup matches. The man who plundered the most was opener Jason Roy, who cracked 153.
Australia beat Windies by 15 runs
Australia survived a top-order failure to bounce back and beat West Indies by 15 runs at Trent Bridge to record their second victory in the World Cup. Australia recovered from 79 for 5 to set West Indies a target of 289 after Steve Smith hit 73 while Nathan Coulter-Nile, at No.8, smashed 60-ball 92. The Australian fightback really started with a 68-run association between Smith and Alex Carey who got out for 45. West Indies would have fancied their chances to chase down 289 given their batting line-up. But Evin Lewis fell to Pat Cummins in the second over of the innings while Chris Gayle used the DRS successfully twice before running out of luck. Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran then added 68 for the 3rd wicket before Pooran was done in by Adam Zampa for 40. Shimron Hetmyer looked good in his composed 21 but his run out pushed West Indies further back.
India open with win
India opened its World Cup campaign with a victory over South Africa. Now South Africa's world cup campaign is teetering on the edge in its third straight defeat. Rohit Sharma made the most of an early reprieve to post an unbeaten 122 and guide India to a six-wicket win over an injury-depleted South Africa, when tight bowling dominated a low-scoring group game at the Rose Bowl. He recovered steadily and carried his bat, reaching 100 from 128 balls, before India surpassed the victory target of 228 with 15 balls to spare, consigning South Africa to a third straight defeat. It's likely South Africa will have to win its remaining six league games to maintain a chance of reaching the semifinals.
