India will be hoping for a more sedate outing against the Netherlands at the T20 World Cup on Thursday, having clinched their tournament opener against Pakistan after a cliffhanger in Melbourne.
Virat Kohli's unbeaten 82 snatched victory from the jaws of near certain defeat against their rivals, giving Rohit Sharma's team the perfect boost at the start of the tournament. It also means their toughest assignment is out of the way and India can focus on just cricket again.
While India will be breathing easier, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said there will be no drop in intensity against the Dutch in Sydney.
"We knew the hype around it [the Pakistan match]. We knew it's always going to be a high-intensity and big clash," he said on Wednesday.
"Having such games done and dusted in the first phase itself, it's good. Had it been the third or fourth game, it could have some effect on the following games. Having this game out of our group, it's good."
While the Netherlands are not expected to present India with as many problems as Pakistan did, Mhambrey said no team can be taken lightly in the tournament. There have already been two washouts, while Ireland stunned England on Wednesday.
"Every game from here is important," Mhambrey said. "Every team that's part of the tournament has worked its way up, has done something good and that's the reason they are here, and we take it like that."
Kohli stole the show with his breathtaking innings, but left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh was one of the main architects of the win. His 3-32 included the prized wickets of Pakistan captain Babar Azam and their batting lynchpin Mohammad Rizwan.
Mhambrey was impressed by the left-arm seamer's ability to cope with the pressure of bowling in the power-play and death overs.
"The composure he's shown, the clarity of thought process that he's shown, he's a great kid," Mhambrey said.
"His ability to handle pressure is phenomenal and I am not really surprised the way he has bowled in the first game. We have a lot of confidence in him, and he has a good future for us."
India are unlikely to rest their key players for Thursday. However, Axar Patel will struggle to retain his spot in the XI after a poor game against Pakistan, where he was smashed for 21 runs in one over and got run out early in the chase. Batting all-rounder Deepak Hooda could come in in his place, with left-handed Rishabh Pant another option.
India v Pakistan ratings
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PAKISTAN RATINGS: Babar Azam: 1. The Pakistan captain got out first ball. In the chase, left the final over for spinner Mohammad Nawaz, which made India's task easier. Should have completed his quota earlier and used just the quicks at the death. AFP -
Mohammad Rizwan: 4. Failed with the bat but was good with the gloves, completing a catch, run out (just about) and stumping under extreme pressure. Getty -
Shan Masood: 8. Was doubtful for the match after getting hit on the head by a stray shot during training. But played nonetheless and held the innings together after Pakistan lost Azam and Rizwan early. His game and technique are perfect for Australian pitches. AP -
Iftikhar Ahmed: 9. Played a breathtaking innings under pressure, hitting four sixes in six balls against the spinners. Looked in command on a tough pitch. Great catch to get Rohit Sharma. AFP -
Shadab Khan: 7. Failed with the bat but was excellent with the ball, giving away just 21 runs from his quota of overs. AFP -
Haider Ali: 2. The specialist middle order bat got out in the same over as Shadab, knocking the wind out of Pakistan's innings. AFP -
Asif Ali: 2. Not only did he get out cheaply, looked ungainly while handling the short ball as well. Not good signs. AFP -
Mohammad Nawaz: 2. Smashed a couple of boundaries but was all over the place with the ball. Forced to complete his quota despite being targeted by Pandya and Kohli. Bowled the final over with 16 needed. Got a couple of wickets, could have still saved the day had he not bowled a waist high full-toss to Kohli. AFP -
Shaheen Afridi: 7. Played a lovely little cameo that took the target to 160. Consistent with the ball without being as threatening as Rauf or Shah. Respectable return from injury. AFP -
Haris Rauf: 8.5. Was near perfect through his spell, mixing high pace with clever slower balls. Was hit for two outlandish sixes off his last two balls by Kohli, ruining a great effort. Getty -
Naseem Shah: 9. India batsmen could not touch him, no matter how hard they tried. Bowled the 17th over to Kohli and Pandya, who could only take six off him. What a find for Pakistan! AP -
INDIA RATINGS: KL Rahul: 2. His dismissal was on expected lines - bowled against high pace with the new ball. It will only get tougher as the tournament progresses for top order batsmen. Getty -
Rohit Sharma: 3. Was beaten by brilliant new-ball bowling by Rauf, getting an edge to slip in classic Test match fashion. Used his bowling resources well. AFP -
Virat Kohli: 10. Without doubt the greatest T20 innings Kohli has played. Soaked up the pressure with Pandya and took the chase to the end, even when 48 was needed from 18 balls. His six down the ground off Rauf is one of the finest ever under pressure. AFP -
Suryakumar Yadav: 4. Showed great intent in his brief innings and even though he got out early, Yadav showed he is in good touch. AFP -
Axar Patel: 1. Blasted for 21 runs in one over and involved in a terrible run out. Utterly forgettable outing. Getty -
Hardik Pandya: 10. Proved once again he is worth his weight in gold. Bowled fast, took three important wickets and then mastered a tense chase perfectly with Kohli. AFP -
Dinesh Karthik: 4. Took a couple of good catches. Did not finish the game with the bat with two needed from two, which will dent his confidence. AFP -
Ravichandran Ashwin: 9. Was consistent with the ball. Came to bat with two needed from one. Was calm enough to capitalise on a wide and then easily scored the winning runs. AP -
Mohammad Shami: 9. Perfect replacement for Jasprit Bumrah. Gave nothing away and dismissed the dangerous looking Iftikhar. AFP -
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 9. The most economical bowler for India, used the conditions excellently. Dismissed Shaheen when the bowler was teeing off, saving a few runs. AFP -
Arshdeep Singh: 8.5. Sensational with the new ball. Getting Azam and Rizwan early was half the battle for India. Getting hit for a six and a four by a tailender at the death the only negative. AFP
