Dhoni's men have a problem of plenty

Rohit Sharmas success gives more options for the champs

India did not field their full bench with Zaheer Khan and Virender Sehwag still under the clutches of injury. But their absence hardly felt as the defending champions brushed aside the fellow finalists of 2007 with ease. It is an ominous sign for India’s opponents that even without two key players they achieved a comfortable victory.

Unlike in the game against New Zealand, the Indian bowlers managed to restrict Pakistan to a relatively easy total, bowling intelligently at the death not using the back-of-length line they employed against the Kiwis with disastrous results.

The ability of the bowlers to learn from their mistakes at such a short notice is remarkable. But the biggest positive to come out of the two practice matches is the form of Rohit Sharma, who exploited his promotion as opener in the absence of injured Sehwag to the hilt.

The Mumbai youngster has been in fine fettle -- both with bat and ball -- throughout the second edition of the Indian Premier League, and that confidence mirrored in his two innings here. The two knocks also revealed his versatility.

In the IPL II, Rohit often played the role of a finisher, setting up Deccan Chargers wins with his brutal cameos. However, here he was asked to lead Indian batting, and the youngster repaid the management’s faith with two gems.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni acknowledged that fact. “We discussed it (batting as opener) with Rohit during the practice sessions and he was quite keen. When you ask a guy, you always watch for his response, how quick it is and whether he has thought twice about it or not. Rohit was very keen on opening and with Viru (Sehwag) injured, he was the best option available,” Dhoni said.

“Rohit always has time, even when he plays quickest bowlers he has got the time and talent. Gary (Kirsten) also played a part in the decision,” he added.

But the form of Rohit might also have given Dhoni some headache with the batting order. Now, he must be thinking whether to keep Rohit as an opener with Gambhir, who also showed good form on Wednesday with a fine fifty, or to push him down the order.

Well then, captains have always relished the problem of plenty, and Dhoni is no exception.  “Frankly speaking I don't know whether Sehwag will bat in the middle,” Dhoni said. “I think it's always better to have a problem of plenty than having nobody to fill in the space. It's good to have Rohit in form. As of now I don't know what will happen when it comes to the batting order,” the wicket-keeper batsman said.

Another interesting point is the fitness of Zaheer Khan. The left-arm paceman could not play both the warm-up games due to injury, but Dhoni remained optimistic about his lead bowler’s availability, though he hinted that Zaheer might not play in the first game against Bangladesh on June 6.

“Zaheer has started bowling. He has shown improvement. I don't want to risk him for 6th. May be on the 10th he will play against Ireland,” Dhoni said.

Ishant Sharma has already warned the rivals with a four-wicket haul in the first match and if Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and Harbhajan Singh too join the party it will be tough for the opposition to stop India. Beware Bangaldesh, India are coming!