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World Cup Fanzone: Sunny, selfies and more...

By Rediff Sports Desk
February 28, 2015

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar takes a selfie with Indian fans. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Photos

As India took on the United Arab Emirates at Perth in a Pool B World Cup match, hoards of Indian fans in Australia and Dubai do not see it as a battle of loyalties.

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Bouyed by the vociferous crowd at the WACA, India thrashed UAE by 9 wickets.

So, while everyone's focus was on the game, legendary Sunil Gavaskar used the opportunity to take a quick selfie and freeze the moment for posterity.

Indian fans show their support. Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The bouncy WACA track traditionally offers the fast bowlers extra help but it was tall India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who made most use of the conditions against United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

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Ashwin came on early and bowled unchanged for his 10-over spell, picking up four for 25 to inspire India to a nine-wicket victory.

Indian fans enjoy during the ICC World Cup Pool B match played between India and United Arab Emirates. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

The performance of the bowling unit has been a revelation so far in the tournament, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the key to this aspect has been bowling to the right areas.

Indian fans during the ICC World Cup match played between India and United Arab Emirates at the WACA stadium in Perth. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

Asked what button did he press to change things after failing to "buy a win" for his team, Dhoni apparently did not like the word 'buy', which was asked in lighter vein.

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Indian fans during the ICC World Cup match. Photograph: Vipin Pawar/Solaris Images

"Well, I don't know whether to answer the buy aspect first because you have given yourself a nice thing to write, especially the Indian media, with the buy question.

"But as I said, when it comes to ICC tournaments, you have to raise your game as individuals and as a team. There's no real secret magic to it. Yes, we had a tough season so far since we have been in Australia. We were hampered by injury to a lot of extent. A lot of batsmen, they were not getting enough runs, and also it's difficult to switch straight from Test cricket to ODI cricket," explained Dhoni.

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