Kohli's men were skating on thin ice

Dubai - India's muddled middle-order lacked the aura that England have

India were impressive and the chastening defeat to New Zealand in the semis doesn't take the gloss of what has been a fine campaign. They were, quite rightly, beaten by a better side.
India, and the billions of fans, will have to take it on the chin and move on. Seven wins and two defeats is no mean achievement, and that too, at cricket's showpiece.
But it's over now.
Once the dust settles on this heart-wrenching loss, those connected and responsible for cricket in India, would do well to introspect.
True, India were undoubtedly the team to beat, the 'Indian machine,' if you will. India were fit, lithe and lit, one of the fittest squads in the World Cup and was built on the ethos of playing an aggressive brand of cricket.
India were 'the team,' almost to the point of being called flawless.
But if one were to scratch beneath the surface, there were a few chinks that lay hidden.
For starters, India kept fretting on the that troublesome No.4 spot. And many auditioned for that role until Ambati Rayudu nearly had it settled during the Asia Cup held in the UAE.
But only just. The Indian selectors sprang a surprise and jettisoned Vijay Shankar for the 'three dimensions' he brings to the table.
In a chat with journalists in Dubai, prior to the World Cup, Indian coach Ravi Shastri spoke of flexibility but come to think of it, India's muddled thinking meant they still looked unsure who their No.4 was in the midst of the World Cup!
KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar and Rishabh Pant, all played at that spot.
In hindsight, India would have done well to have a proper batsman to play that role, maybe Ajinkya Rahane or perhaps even the unflappable Cheteshwar Pujara in English conditions. India needed someone like a Rahul Dravid to hold it together if things went south.
It was maybe a tad too early to blood Rishabh Pant and perhaps the selectors would be better placed to answer the inclusion of Dinesh Karthik. And MS Dhoni is a topic for another day.
Truth be told, India's batting line-up lacked the aura that England have.
The bowlers were top notch but it was our much-vaunted batting that proved to be the weak link.
james@khaleejtimes.com

• ICC World Cup 2020