World Cup 2015: Australia crush India by 106 runs in warm-up match

After Finch's departure, Australia lost two wickets in quick succession. Mohit Sharma proved yet again why he's the ideal replacement for the injured Ishant Sharma picking up Shane Watson with a well directed short delivery. Watson tried to pull the ball but he lost control of it and Akshar Patel did a good job at the end to hold on to the catch before he lost his balance and toppled backwards.

Maxwell continued to torture the Indian bowlers at the other end picking up his half-century in just 34 balls. He along with new batsman Mitchell Marsh put up quite a partnership and the 300 figure didn't look far.

However, injury scares struck both sides. First Shami, after Marsh drove one straight back at the bowler causing his left thumb to bleed. After medical attention, Shami entered the ground with bandage all over his left thumb. Maxwell too seemed to look uncomfortable with his back and a physio and doctor were immediately called onto the pitch.

Maxwell and Marsh took responsibility of the Aussie innings and they both steadied the ship. Mawell brought up his second century and but retired hurt on 122. Mitchell Johnson and Starc struck a couple of boundaries after the magician Maxwell already made sure Australia cruised past the 300 mark. 

It was a poor performance by the Indian bowlers with Shami standing out with three wickets going for an expensive 83 runs. Shami picked out Johnson, Pat Cummins and Bailey while Mohit Sharma picked up Watson and Starc. Umesh Yadav proved to be India's most economical bowler with figures of 2-52 in his nine overs.

India certainly took away some positives from the match after Shikhar Dhawan showed that he's back in form  with his 59 off 71 balls. He along with Ajinkya Rahane put on a 104-run partnership and were looking dangerous. Rohit Sharma looked uncomfortable and was caught at slip trying to run one Josh Hazlewood delivery down to third man. Star batsman Virat Kohli was in at number three and meant business at the start itself going after the Australian bowlers but couldn't hold himself too long at the crease after he struck a Mitchell Starc delivery back on to the stumps. Kohli made a quick 18 off the 19 deliveries he faced with three boundaries.

Such an intense match had to have some drama. Kohli and Aussie wicket-keeper Brad Haddin were spotted in a war of words just before Kohli walked back to the dressing room.      

Rahane and Dhawan looked to be doing damage control as the required run rate was slowly creeping above 7.92. They both scored their half-centuries with impressive strike rates and were looking dangerous. 

Glenn Maxwell was brought into the attack for Australia.

India seemed to be at the receiving end after the loss of quick wickets. Dhawan was the first to go after trying to pull a Johnson delivery only to be caught at mid-on. 

'Captain Cool' Mahendra Singh Dhoni was up next but to his and Team India's surprise, went out for a duck trying to pull and was caught beautifully in the deep by Mitchell Starc on the boundary line.

Stuart Binny, who currently is the star for India entered the crease strong scoring a graceful boundary but he too couldn't sustain himself at the crease after a Johnson delivery crashed the woodwork sending Binny back only for five runs.

Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja looked to have one final go at the Australian bowlers. Rayudud struck a quick 53 off 42 balls that included four boundaries and four big hits. India had a glimmer of hope when Rayudu was smashing the ball everywhere but his party was brought to an end by Hazlewood. Jadeja too misfired on Sunday, falling prey to a Pat Cummins delivery. Ravichandran Ashwn was the last man to enter and his duration at the crease was limited after Cummins struck again to seal the match.