INDIA VS AUSTRALIA , SUPER 8, T20 WORLD CUP, 2024
Although it wasn’t an act of retaliation for their previous encounter on November 19, India delivered a resounding performance against Australia during their Super 8 of the T20 Cup 2024, held at the Darren Sammy International Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Monday, June 24. Rohit Sharma led the charge for the Men in Blue with a relentless display, smashing 92 runs off just 41 balls in a game-changing innings. Travis Head looked set to disrupt India’s stride yet again, but Jasprit Bumrah intervened, dismissing the key batsman and dashing Australia’s hopes of overcoming the Group 1 leader.
During their innings, Australia put up 181 runs for the loss of 7 wickets across their allotted 20 overs. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel were particularly effective, curbing an otherwise vigorous Indian batting display. Kuldeep, through a standout performance with the ball, ensured India maintained composure amidst a few perilous partnerships involving Travis Head.
Securing a 24-run victory, India solidified their spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024. They emerged as the leaders of Group 1 and preserved their undefeated streak in the tournament. This victory marked India’s third consecutive win over Australia in the men’s T20 World Cups, a sequence that started back in 2014. India and South Africa remain the only teams yet to be defeated in this edition of the T20 World Cup.
TOSS-
Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first .
India Playing XI:
Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah
Australia Playing XI:
Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh(c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
INDIA
Powerplay: Rohit Shatters Australian Bowling Plans
Phase score: India 60/1 [RR: 10.00, 4s/6s: 5/5]
India faced a setback early when Virat Kohli was dismissed for zero in the over, continuing his struggle in the series. Despite this initial advantage for Australia, Rohit Sharma fiercely responded. He launched an aggressive attack on Starc, scoring 29 runs in a single over that included four sixes, steering India into a commanding position. Rohit’s aggressive tactics significantly stressed the Australian bowlers.
Middle overs: India Sustains Aggressive Run Rate
Phase score: India 102/3 [RR: 11.33, 4s/6s: 8/7]
Despite the end of the powerplay, Rohit’s onslaught did not wane. After losing Rishabh Pant to a shaky performance, Suryakumar Yadav joined, maintaining the high tempo with sharp strikes. This period saw India amassing 54 runs from just four overs. Adam Zampa’s spin failed to curb their momentum. Mitchell Marsh’s decision to reintroduce Starc paid off somewhat, as he dismissed both established players, offering Australia a temporary reprieve, although India was already well-established by then.
Death Overs: Australia Mitigates But India Finishes Strong
Phase score: India 43/1 [RR: 8.60, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Post the dismissals of Rohit and Surya Kumar, Australia managed to contain India somewhat effectively, allowing only four boundaries in the concluding five overs. Josh Hazlewood capped off impressively amid the earlier havoc, with Pat Cummins also bowling tightly. Only Marcus Stoinis’ 19th over proved costly, giving away 14 runs, but succeeded in holding India to a sub-220 score.
AUSTRALIA
Powerplay: Warner Out, Head and Marsh Propel Score
Phase score: Australia 65/1 [RR: 10.83, 4s/6s: 7/4]
Australia too lost a key player early as David Warner fell in the chase’s first over to Arshdeep Singh. Nonetheless, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh took the attack back to India, including taking 14 runs off a Jasprit Bumcharm over in the powerplay. Their aggressive batting left India rattled as they piled runs in the initial six overs.
Middle Overs: Australia’s Challenge Stifled by Indian Spin
Phase score: Australia 76/3 [RR: 8.44, 4s/6s: 4/6]
The middle overs began favorably for Australia, but India broke the crucial partnership with Axar Patel’s spectacular catch to dismiss a potential maximum. Glenn Maxwell started well, keeping the score ticking alongside Head. However, Kuldeep Yadav ultimately trapped Maxwell, and Axar returned to dismiss Stoinis, leading to a dramatic slowdown for Australia, which positioned India favorably as the overs concluded.
Death Overs: India Seals the Match
Phase score: 40/3 [RR: 8.00, 4s/6s: 1/2]
Australia’s final effort was hampered with quick wickets falling, and Head overwhelmed by the climbing required rate. India’s tight bowling, especially Bumrah’s final overs, left Australia with too much to achieve. Axar Patel, mirroring his performance in a previous significant match, delivered a critical 16th over that thwarted Australia’s chances, sealing the victory for India.
Brief scores:
India 205/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 92, Surya Kumar Yadav 31; Mitchell Starc 2-45) beat Australia 181/7 in 20 overs (Travis Head 76, Mitchell Marsh 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2-24) by 24 runs
What’s next?
India has secured a place in the semifinals and will face England in Guyana in a replay of the 2022 semifinal. Australia’s hopes of advancing depend on Bangladesh defeating Afghanistan. Any other outcome, including a washout, will see Afghanistan moving to the semifinals.
