India succumbed to the pressure and lost to West Indies in a crucial Super 8's match - the first for India. India's batting was let down for the first time in this tournament and the bowling just was not enough to defend the total of 153. West Indies won the match by 7 wickets. M S Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first. But he did not get the start that he had in his mind. The makeshift opener in Rohit Sharma failed to a rising delivery from Edwards. He attempted a pull shot just the very next delivery after hitting a boundary. One down Raina came in at his usual spot but could not do what he usually does. He did not trouble the scorers much and was castled by Edwards again. And again this was a short-pitched delivery. Both Sharma and Raina were castled by Edwards for the individual scores of 5. The team total read 2 for 27 in around 4 overs. Yuvraj then walked in to give company go Gambhir. Bravo was the first change bowler for West Indies. And it worked straight away. 2 runs later, Gambhir was yet another victim of a short-pitched delivery from Bravo. Simmons took his second catch to send Gambhir back. Simmons ran some 8-10 meters back and took a stunning catch almost single-handedly. The Indians were searching for some space and were poorly placed at 40 for 3 in 6 overs. Yuvraj and Dhoni tried to steady the ship caught in the hurricane created by the pace trio and batted cautiously. Such slow was the batting of the Indian skipper that he managed only 11 from 23 balls. Yuvraj on the other hand as usual tried to make things happen. He took some risks early on. And they paid. Playing safely, he started to increase the run-rate that had fallen miserably which at one stage was over 7. Bravo removed Dhoni's gloomy innings when Fletcher caught him on the square boundary. Then walked in Yusuf Pathan. When the Indian total was 75, Yuvraj hit the first six of the Indian innings and then things started to happen. In the meantime, Yuvraj got a life from Fletcher when he could not hold on to a seemingly easy diving catch again on the boundary line. Otherwise it would have been difficult times for India. Fours and sixes started raining and except Irfan Pathan all the remaining batsmen scored good to take the Indian total past the 150 run mark. Yuvraj hit fiery 67 off 43 while the injured Yusuf braving his shoulder injury hit 31 in little time. Harbhajan hit 3 fours off the final 3 balls of the India innings. But it was a whirlwind innings from the Mumbai Indians' team member Dwayne Bravo who his 66 off just 36 balls to dampen the Indian hopes of a surprise win. He hit 3 huge sixes. After getting Gayle and Fletcher speedily out quite early in the innings, the Indians might have fancied their chances. But the speed-breaker called Bravo came between the Indians and the win and made sure that not only the wickets remained intact but also the scoreboard was kept moving. He along with Simmons took the score to the three figure mark.

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Let me first begin with what you said about Sehwag. You said 'when he comes back'. Now that's a point to ponder - will he come back? No doubt, he is a great cricketer. But not in the eyes of the captain. Dhoni wanted Sehwag to play in the warm match. Sehwag refused citing sour shoulder. Now we all know that Sehwag did really have a sour shoulder. But how much it is sour we don't know. Well, both Dhoni and Sehwag want India to defend the title so both might be thinking in their own ways. Sehwag for one might be looking to get match-fit by avoiding the unnecessary match. Dhoni on the other hand might be thinking of giving Sehwag some match practice before they actually begin on the task ahead of them. But reports say that they are not the best of the friends. That's why I think, Dhoni promoted Rohit Sharma up the order. And to Sehwag's disbelief Sharma clicked upfront. Then Dhoni said that there was Ravindra Jadeja too to do the job of the opener. Which clearly meant that he didn't need Sehwag any more. But let's hope that, that is not the case with Sehwag and Dhoni and that both of them will patch as early as possible. That's a great thing for India in general and cricket in particular. The fans are eagerly waiting for this.

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India play Pakistan in a warm up game today - Wednesday - 3rd June. I think, to be honest, this is going to be a real gem of a match. With both Pakistan and India, looking to get the better of the other will really go all out after each other. It will really be a cracker of a match. Pakistan has already been defeated twice by India in the first edition of the ICC World Cup of T20. The first time was during the league stage where India won the match in a super over via a bowl out. But I think, it was the second time that really mattered the most - the finals of the T20 WC. India then became the first Champions for the first time of the inagural World Cup of 20-20. As far as this current match is concerned, I think, it will be a wait and watch type. Let's keep our fingures crossed and hope that India wins. I am saying this because, India is currently under a spate of injuries, which India doesn't want at this stage. Pakistan will really take this opportunity to unsettle India's confidence.

Though the lack of form of Gambhir and Dhoni can give some sleepless nights for India, along with the lack of form of Sehwat. To add to it even Zaheer Khan is still not fully fit and as per Mahi's statement he can't even play in the first game against Bangladesh at the weekend. Time doens't seem to be on India's side this time around. But each game is a new game and each day is a new day. Saying this only can we give ourselves some respite and say that Team India can overcome all the obstacles and get on top.

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A loss is a loss. But still, I think, the practice matches are their to learn for. And these failures shouldn't be taken so seriously, though it's a loss. But you should see the brighter side of the match. Though the lack of form of Gambhir and Dhoni can give some sleepless nights for India, along with the lack of form of Sehwat. To add to it even Zaheer Khan is still not fully fit and as per Mahi's statement he can't even play in the first game against Bangladesh at the weekend. Time doens't seem to be on India's side this time around.But each game is a new game and each day is a new day. Saying this only can we give ourselves some respite and say that Team India can overcome all the obstacles and get on top.

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