Ireland's emotional catharsis against England has provided a new meaning to its World Cup campaign. India cannot afford any slip-up in its Group ‘B' game against this intrepid side on Sunday.
Indeed, teams that are fearless can be dangerous adversaries. Kevin O' Brien's whirlwind century that ambushed England, reflected the mood in the Irish camp — this side was undaunted by names or situations.
Yet, the mountain of runs scored at the Chinnaswamy Stadium takes us to a bigger question. Are these flat tracks, loaded in favour of batsmen, good for ODI cricket in the long run?
Any surface that reduces the role of a bowler to mere fodder is unhealthy for the game. Irrespective of the momentary thrills that the big hits generate, a balanced contest is a compelling need.
India and New Zealand met at the same venue earlier in the season in what was yet another run feast. The Kiwis, despite struggling with the bat earlier in the series, made 315 for seven. The Indians, fuel-driven by Yusuf Pathan's power-packed unbeaten 123, mounted a successful chase.
In the ongoing World Cup, India, despite suffering a collapse in the late overs, rattled up 338. England, missing a gilt-edged opportunity to win, managed a tie.
Then, England ran up a seemingly daunting total of 328 for eight against Ireland, which responded with 329 for seven. There have been runs, runs and more runs. Of course, the courage of an associate member team such as Ireland, in holding its nerve and staging a stirring comeback against an established nation, has to be appreciated. But, the bowlers in any form of the game need to be given an even chance.
At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the bowlers certainly are up against it. The pitch is flat, the outfield fast and the boundaries short. The hits consistently land in the stands.
There is a notion, particularly in the sub-continent, that only high-scoring one-dayers are worth watching. After all, the spectators relish a slew of sixes and a barrage of boundaries.
The logic, despite the thrilling finishes we have witnessed in this World Cup, is a largely flawed one. Some of the finest ODIs, including the immortal 1999 semifinal between Australia and South Africa in the Old Blighty, have been moderate to low scoring games where run-making represented a huge challenge.
This was precisely why the triangular ODI series in Australia rose in stature and popularity before problems of the logistical kind ended the tournament's great run.
ODI cricket is a contest of several hues and does not need to compete with Twenty20 cricket for its existence. Give the bowlers a chance.
