Gros Islet (St Lucia): A historic win by Afghanistan has suddenly put the all-conquering Australians under tremendous pressure. They must defeat India on Monday and hope the Afghans lose to Bangladesh in the last Super Eight game later in the day in order to qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. The top side are in danger of going down under.
The scenario sets up a perfect platform for the Blues to avenge their defeat in the final of last year’s 50-over World Cup at home. That makes the India-Australia contest at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium compelling.
India, with four points and a healthy run rate of 2.425, sit atop the group, with one foot in the semis. The Aussies are edgy and will look to come back hard. They will need to make a huge turnaround from the embarrassing defeat to Afghanistan though.
However, India will be wary of some dangerous players in the rival camp. Travis Head, with 179 from six innings, is sixth on the run-getters’ list at the tournament. The left-hander is well acquainted with players on the Indian team, courtesy his recent IPL stint and is capable of punishing the bowlers, especially during Powerplay. His opening partner David Warner follows him at No. 7 with 172 runs against his name.
Marcus Stoinis is another Australian who is doing well in the batting department. He is among the top 10 too (eighth), having scored 167 from six innings at a high average of 55.66. The 34-year-old is also handy with the ball while ‘Big Show’ Glenn Maxwell hit a half-century in the losing cause against Afghanistan.
Pace partners Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc pose a threat with the ball. The former comes into the game with back-to-back hat-tricks in the Super Eight stage. Then there is leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who is second on the wicket-takers’ list with 13.
India seek consistency when it comes to batting. Rishabh Pant is the only Indian batter in the tournament’s top 10 with 152 runs. He will need to curb his attacking instincts at times though and not get carried away while cruising, as was evident from his reverse sweep against Bangladesh that cost him his wicket.
Suryakumar Yadav scored a brilliant half-century against Afghanistan alright but would look to be consistent. Ditto with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who appears to be getting into the groove on wickets here in the Caribbean, going by his run-a-ball 24 against the Afghans and a 28-ball 37 against Bangladesh in the Super Eight.
The Blues surely bat deep, with Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja taking spots 5 to 8 in the order. Pandya shone bright against Bangladesh while Dube came up with a valuable knock after India had lost four wickets in that game.
The bowling machine looks well-oiled and has been delivering constantly. Seamer Arshdeep Singh is the third highest wicket taker in the tournament with 15 scalps. Jasprit Bumrah has boxed the batsmen in, evident from his astonishing economy rate of 3.42. Given the spearhead’s accuracy, the Aussies would have to think out of the box to score runs off him.
Kuldeep has come to the party in style. The left-arm spinner has played key roles in India’s two victories in the Super Eight and looks set for more. Bring it on.
