In a thrilling Super 8 clash at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India triumphed over Australia by 24 runs, securing a spot in the semi-finals. The match, held at St. Lucia, saw India set a formidable target of 206 runs, with captain Rohit Sharma leading the charge with a scintillating 92 off just 41 deliveries.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss, India posted 205 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Rohit’s aggressive innings, punctuated by seven fours and eight sixes, was supported by Suryakumar Yadav’s quickfire 31 runs off 16 balls. Despite a shock start where Virat Kohli was dismissed for a duck, Rohit’s counterattack, especially his brutal 29-run over against Mitchell Starc, set the tone for India’s innings. Rishabh Pant struggled, scoring 15 off 14 balls, but Yadav’s aggressive batting kept the momentum going. Although Australia managed to curb India’s run rate in the final overs, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowled effectively, with Starc finishing with figures of 2-45.
In reply, Australia fell short, ending at 181 for seven in 20 overs. Travis Head played a valiant knock of 76 off 43 balls, but it wasn’t enough to steer his team to victory. Head and Mitchell Marsh, who contributed 37 runs off 28 balls, put up a strong fight, particularly during the powerplay. However, India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (2-24) and Arshdeep Singh (3-30), managed to contain the Australian batting lineup. Key wickets at crucial moments, including the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell and Marsh, tilted the game in India’s favor.
The middle overs saw a turning point with Axar Patel’s spectacular fielding and Kuldeep’s skillful bowling, which disrupted Australia’s chase. Despite Head’s efforts, Australia’s run chase lost momentum, and the asking rate became insurmountable. Jasprit Bumrah’s disciplined bowling at the death further tightened India’s grip on the match.
After the match, Rohit Sharma was named Player of the Match for his explosive innings. He remarked on the importance of adapting to the conditions and praised his team’s overall performance.
India’s win sets up a high-stakes semi-final clash against the defending champions, England, in Guyana on Thursday. Meanwhile, the last Super Eight match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, currently underway in Kingston, will determine the fourth semifinalist. South Africa has already secured their spot in the semi-finals.
Brief Scores:
- India: 205/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 92, Suryakumar Yadav 31; Mitchell Starc 2-45)
- Australia: 181/7 in 20 overs (Travis Head 76, Mitchell Marsh 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2-24)
India’s convincing victory over Australia not only highlights their strong form in the tournament but also sets the stage for an exciting semi-final round. The team’s balance of powerful batting and disciplined bowling will be crucial as they aim for the T20 World Cup title.
With inputs from agencies
4o
