India v Australia World T20 – 5 Talking Points

The clash between India and Australia was the all-important match of the tournament as it turned out to be the virtual quarter-final. A knockout game by all means, a win at Mohali was important for both sides to make it to the semis. Having won the toss, Australia opted to bat first. They got off to a flying start with openers Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch putting 54 off 26 balls. Once the openers departed, the game slowed down significantly and the Aussies could post just 161/6 in their 20 overs, which seemed a par score.

India got off to a sluggish start and the top three failed to contribute. It all came down to the same old go-to man, Virat Kohli, to take India through the run chase. He did exactly that, almost singlehandedly. Remaining unbeaten on 82, Kohli helped India chase down 161 with 6 wickets in hand and 5 balls to spare.

1. Flying start by Aussies:

The Aussie openers, Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch, got off to a rollicking start. Having posted 52 runs in just 4 overs, they made sure that they stamped their authority on Indian bowlers. The Aussie tactic of attacking India’s lead bowler, Ravi Ashwin, was evident. Ashwin was taken away for 22 runs in his first over. Khawaja continued his impressive form and perished in his attempt to hit a few more. It was Ashish Nehra, who got the edge off the bat of Khawaja to dismiss him 26. Finch carried his bat along, as a couple of wickets fell from the other end, and scored crucial 43 runs. His 43 came off 34 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes. He was dismissed by Pandya in the 13th over. Finch remained to be the top scorer for Australia as Australia posted a decent 161 runs on the board.

2. Spinners turn it on:

The Indian fans had their hearts in their mouths when Ravichandran Ashwin was taken for 22 runs in his first over. The ball didn’t grip and turn as much as it was speculated. Things looked grim for the spinners but they came back strong in the game. With Jadeja coming in to the attack, the pace of the game got slow. MS Dhoni played his trump card and gave the ball to Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj got rid of the dangerous Australian skipper Steve Smith on his very first ball. Ashwin came back to the attack and, this time, around, the ball turned viciously. Ashwin foxed Warner with turn and bounce to get him stumped on 6. Yuvraj bowled his 3 overs to end with figures of 1/19. Jadeja went wicketless but gave away just 20 in his 3 overs.

How did Twitter react to India’s superb win? – Twitter Reactions: Chaser Kohli sees India through to the semi-finals

3. Indian top order fails again:

Much was expected from the Indian openers on the night of the virtual quarter finals. Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have been largely out of form in this World Cup so far. Both of them had an opportunity to turn things around, but sadly it wasn’t to be. Dhawan showed some promise with a six and a four but was dismissed by Coulter Nile on 13. Rohit Sharma’s stay at the crease looked painful too as he struggled for his 17-ball 12 before getting bowled by Shane Watson. India looked jittery in the powerplay, being able to post just 37 runs on the board with both openers back in the hut. Suresh Raina failed to capitalise on his chance again and got out on 10. His weakness against the short ball was well exploited by Watson who got his wicket.

4. Yuvraj’s Singh painful stay:

India were struggling at 49/3 in 8 overs, when Yuvraj Singh came in to bat. The asking rate was climbing a steep slope and the chase was getting tougher. What made it worse for India was Yuvraj Singh’s cramps. The very second ball that Yuvi faced, he was seen in pain as he could barely run. Playing with a strapped ankle, Yuvraj couldn’t run well between the crease. India failed to convert the singles to doubles and even on occasions when there was a clear double run for the taking, Kohli had to be content with a single after looking at his partner’s condition.

5. Kohli – The Man Again:

This man doesn’t cease to amaze. Once again, Virat Kohli proved why he is the best finisher in the world cricket. Coming in at a very crucial stage of the game in the 6th over when India were going at a run rate just above 6, Kohli was slow to start off with. His attempts to take doubles were nullified due to Yuvraj’s injury. The wicket of Yuvraj didn’t help either. It did bring MS Dhoni at the crease, which helped India to take a few doubles. The asking rate kept climbing as India needed 61 of the last 5 overs. Kohli brought up his half century but what followed was an absolute gem. India needed 39 off the last 3 overs, the required rate being over 12. Faulkner came in to the attack and Kohli tore him apart for 19 runs. The crowd was alive again and the diminishing hopes of millions were lit again. The next over by Coulter Nile saw Kohli hit 4 classy boundaries to seize the game for India. With 4 to win, it was Dhoni who ‘finished off in style’ as Kohli remained unbeaten on 82 off 51 balls. He hit 9 boundaries and 2 sixes in his match-winning knock.

Who said what after the match? – Virat is very hungry to score for the team: MS Dhoni