Rohit, Mohit, and India's resurgence

In a tournament where match-winning players and taking wickets in the middle overs are crucial components, India have excelled in both categories.

India and Australia are the two teams in the tournament with the most match-winners, which means they are not relying on a small group of players to conjure up victory in every match. And it was one of India's major match-winners, Rohit Sharma, who showed another side to his temperament in compiling a defining century in the quarter-final.

Rohit has been renowned in equal parts for his sublime skill, breathtaking shots played with exquisite timing, and a tendency towards laziness and a frustrating ability to gift his wicket to the opposition. In constructing his foundation-building century at the MCG, Rohit harnessed those first two traits and dismissed the latter two with a determination not seen from him before.

Throughout his excellent innings, I was reminded of the discipline displayed by Aravinda de Silva in the 1996 World Cup final. Aravinda scored a century of class and determination to help his team win the trophy, and although he denied himself any expansive shots, he still scored at a run rate near 90. It was one of the great innings of self-restraint played by a batsman who could be extravagant, bordering on reckless at times.

Rohit was every bit as disciplined, and mostly denied himself the signature lofted shots into the stands or the careless uppish shot through the infield that so often bring one of his promising innings to a premature halt. There was still the frustratingly lazy footwork against a part-time slow bowler early in his innings but that's nit-picking. It's only annoying because you know the guy is good enough to dismiss that type of bowler from the attack in a flurry of well-placed boundaries hit through the field.

I can only imagine the frustration the Indian selectors feel, but I think we all have to just accept that that is, and will continue to be, Rohit Sharma.

I have often said about Mark Waugh, who had similar tendencies, that that was part of his attraction. You went to the ground not knowing if he would waste a golden opportunity or create some magic, and when it was the latter, you forgave the former. Rohit must be doing something right. If he's in the same conversation as Waugh and Aravinda, he's in esteemed company.

As much as Rohit was the star and Suresh Raina played a strong supporting role, the bowlers also played their part. This has now become a common theme during the World Cup in what has been the biggest turnaround since Australia became the first nation to ever wrest the America's Cup.

Six weeks ago you wouldn't have dreamed the Indian would claim all 70 wickets in their first seven World Cup matches. Nevertheless, that's exactly what the bowlers have achieved, and it's a credit to their persistence and resilience that they have been able to click into gear when it has really mattered.

In large part I think the improvement has coincided with two things: MS Dhoni's resurgence as a captain and the arrival of Mohit Sharma.

Where Dhoni seemed to lack interest in proceedings leading up to the World Cup, it appears he has been galvanised by the thought of defending his title on foreign soil. His proactive approach has the bowlers thinking about taking wickets instead of "how can I stop these batsmen from scoring heavily", and the difference is marked.

Having seen the success that can come by thinking aggressively, the bowlers' confidence has grown considerably and they are now performing consistently. Mohit has spiced that confidence and consistency with a determination that matches Rohit's MCG innings, and his enthusiasm has rubbed off on his fellow bowlers.

The final component in India's World Cup resurgence has been the fielding. It was athletic and safe, with the occasional brilliant intercept at the MCG. It helps if all the chances created are accepted, and this also helps to build the confidence of the bowlers.

It was an impressive performance by India and now that they have married skill with determination they are an extremely dangerous opponent. If they repeat that performance at the SCG on a surface that could well suit their style, they will be a handful for Australia.