There was a time when a score between 280-300 was considered a match-winning one in the 50-over format of the sport. Teams batting first followed a pattern while constructing their innings: see off the new ball and not lose wickets in the first 10 overs, then gradually build momentum in the next 20 overs, with conserving wickets being the priority.
The logic was to double the score achieved in the final 20 overs by resorting to a T20 kind of batting in the end. With wickets in hand, the slog overs – 40 to 50 – was all about going hell for leather. The 2011 World Cup, which India won at home, followed a similar pattern.
