Picture : BCCI / X
India Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front in style as India avenged their 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final loss to Australia by beating them by 24 runs in a Super 8 Group 1 clash . The win saw India reach the semis, setting up a clash against defending champions England.
Earlier Aussie skipper Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to bowl on windy day and play also interrupted by brief passing shower. Aussie got early breakthrough as Virat Kohli was out for ( 0) . Rishabh Pant fell for ( 15), Suryakumar Yadav (31) , Shivam Dube ( 28) .
India reached a impressive total thanks to blistering innings by Skipper Rohit Sharma . Rohit was at his aggressive best and hammered the Aussie bowling attack all- around the park . His innings was phenomenal one 92 ( 41 balls , 7 fours, 8 sixes) .
Cameo knock of Hardik Pandya 27 ( 17 balls) not out and Ravindra Jadeja not out 9 saw India eventually finish at 205 / 5 in their 20 overs .
Aussie bowling let them down . The figures tell all. Mitchell Starc 2/ 45 ( 4 overs), Pat Cummins 0/ 48 ( 4 overs) , Marcus Stoinis 2/ 56 ( 4 overs) , Adam Zampa 0/ 41 9 4 overs) , Josh Hazlewood was the only saving grace with fine figures 1/ 14 ( 4 overs) .
In reply , Australia lost seasoned opener David Warner early for ( 6) . Skipper Mitchell Marsh was needed to play a big one b. But he missed yet again. Out for 37 . Unfortunately his highest in the tournament . A miserable tournament score as Skipper. Glenn Maxwell played some extravagant shots, but seemed to be in a hurry as he fell for 20 . When he was needed to stay in must win match. Marcus Stoinis fell to the uncalled for reverse sweep at that stage for 2 . India sensing win.
Travis Head was losing partners in a flash .The pressure got to Head too finally as he fell for well made 76 ( 43 balls , 9 fours, 4 sixes). Tim David ( 15) . Matthew Wade ( 1) fell cheaply . As Aussie chase floundered. Pat Cummins not out 11 and Mitchell Starc not out 4 saw Australia managing to reach 181/ 7 in their 20 overs. India winning by 24 runs .
Australia semis hopes rested on Bangladesh versus Afghanistan match. Afghanistan win would see Aussies flying back home .
Indian bowlers bowled well . Arshdeep Singh impressive 3/ 37 ( 4 overs) , Jasprit Bumrah 1/ 29 ( 4 overs), Axar Patel 1/ 21 ( 3 overs) , Hardik Pandya 0/ 47 ( 4 overs) was wayward in line- length, Kuldeep Yadav 2/ 24 ( 4 overs) , Ravindra Jadeja 0/ 17 ( 1 over)
Match: T20 World Cup, 51st Match
Venue: St Lucia | Date: June 24, 2024
