In the biggest battle of the World Cup 2015 yet, No. 1 Australia will look to end the winning-run of defending champions India, ranked No. 2 in the world. That India have raced to seven consecutive wins this tournament means that the task won't be simple but four-time champions Australia match their opponents strength - man-to-man. This Thursday, Sydney Cricket Ground will witness a clash of galactic proportions as both sides battle for the right to vie for the world crown in Melbourne on Sunday. (India vs Australia: Battle Lines Drawn )
While India downed Bangladesh, Australia pipped Pakistan to gain entry into the semis and set up what may be a thrilling penultimate match. (Where Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men )
Both India and Australia are indeed equally matched sides -- on paper and on the field. They have a star cast of valiant warriors who can keep up the pressure in their hunt for glory. After all, they have done just that thus far in the tournament -- much to the pleasure of their respective set of frenzied fans. (Where the Aussies can Hurt the Men in Blue )
Here's taking a look at how the two sides have fared in World Cup 2015 and why they absolutely deserve to be in the semis.
India's road to semis:
India outclass Pakistan, again!
Kohli-Dhawan helped India to go past Pakistan
© Getty Images
The biggest battle of the World Cup was always going to be an India vs Pakistan clash. Arch-rivals faced off in front of a packed Adelaide Oval but it was the humongous group in blue that had the last laugh again.
India maintained an unbeaten record against Pakistan in World Cups by cruising to a dominant 76-run win, courtesy a century from vice-captain Virat Kohli. Opting to bat first, Kohli partnered Shikhar Dhawan (73) to help India score 300. Suresh Raina played a responsible knock of 74. (India Hammer Pakistan )
In reply, Pakistan could not mount a serious challenge as Indian pacers bared their new-found claws and walked away with wickets galore. While Mohammad Shami's four for 35 stole the limelight, Umesh Ydav and Mohit Sharma claimed two each to systematically break down Pakistan's batting.
India Pummel South Africa
Shikhar Dhawan celebrates after scoring his ton.
© Getty Images
It was billed as the battle between India's revered batting and South Africa's feared pace. In the end, both adjectives were together used for an all-round and comprehensive performance from the defending champions. (India Crush South Africa )
Opting to bat once again, India breached the 300-run mark once again with Dhawan completing a century this time. His 137 off 146 balls was crucial in helping his side score 307 -- a total which would assure India a mammoth 130-run win. Since Rohit Sharma had fallen without scoring, Kohli's 49 at No. 3 was crucial as well but it was the maturity of Ajinkya Rahane (79) that helped Dhawan lash out and post a challenging total.
South Africa's chase was doomed by the 11th over when openers -- Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock -- were sent back by the Indian pacers. Faf du Plessis did manage 55 but it was in vain as Shami and Mohit claimed two each. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin though led the wickets tally with three for 41 that broke Proteas' middle-order. Dangerman AB de Villiers' run-out was a crucial turning point in the match as well -- one that would gift India another three points in their World Cup campaign.
India storm past UAE
Ashwin ran through UAE
© Reuters
Bolstered by their two wins against strong teams, the Indians brushed aside minnows UAE with casual arrogance. A nine-wicket win at WACA showed that the side had not let complacency set in and was in a mood to perfect its plans, regardless of the opponents in the league stage. (India Record Massive Win vs UAE )
A brave UAE side chose to bat but that was where their bravery ended. Ashwin (four for 25) cast a web of spinning deceit around the opposition and the rather 'naive' UAE batsmen fell right over -- crashing to 102 in 31.3 overs.
Rohit saw his opportunity to plunder some runs and his unbeaten 57 powered his side to a win in the 19th over.
India edge out West Indies
MS Dhoni plays a shot during India's Pool B fixture vs West Indies
© AFP
Even defending champions can have their moments of uncertainty and India's came in the match against the unpredictable West Indies. Although Mahendra Singh Dhoni batted the team out of troubled waters, the four-wicket win was a good test. (India Scrape Past West Indies )
Asked to bowl first at WACA, Indian pacers once again made the most of the conditions to restrict the opposition to 182. Shami claimed three for 35 while Umesh took two for 42.
The target may have been small but the track was rather tricky and the Indian top-order found it out the hard way. Jerome Taylor knocked down the Indian openers by the seventh over of the chase. Kohli (33) fought for a bit but even he could not take his team through. Placed precariously at 78/4 by the time Rahane was dismissed, Indian batting looked like imploding. In walked Dhoni though and stitched together an unbeaten 45 from 56 balls to take his team through the winning line.
India cruise past Ireland
Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma gave India a solid start against Ireland
© Getty Images
In their first match of World Cup 2015 in New Zealand, India registered an easy eight-wicket win against Ireland. Despite the apparent jet-lag of travelling from Perth to Hamilton, there was no let up in the intent as bowling once again combined with batting to register a strong performance. (Dhawan Ton Helps India Beat Ireland )
Ireland backed their batting and opted to set a target. It appeared like the correct decision as a spirited effort from Neil O'Brien (75) and captain William Porterfield (67) took the Irish to 259 in 49 overs. Shami once again took the maximum number of wickets and had figures of three for 41 from his nine.
In the chase, Dhawan raced to his second century of the tournament and his 85-ball 100 would take his team past the finish line with more than 13 overs to spare.
India bring down spirited Zimbabwe
Suresh Raina slammed a ton against Zimbabwe
© Getty Images
Zimbabwe gave a fright of sorts to India with an admirable effort with bat and ball. In what was the final match for Brendan Taylor for Zimbabwe, India eventually managed to spoil the party and walk away with a six-wicket win. That it was achieved with just eight balls to spare shows how much the Men in Blue were challenged. (Raina, Dhoni Destroy Zimbabwe )
Opting to field first, India had to deal with Taylor's dogged determination to finish on a high. The veteran cricketer slapped 138 off 110 balls to propel his side to a challenging 287 in Auckland. Sean Williams' 50 off 57 was also a noteworthy effort against the Indian pace trio, each of whom took three wickets each.
India lost both openers by the seventh over -- making for a nightmarish start. Kohli once again managed a start but fell for 38. This time though, Suresh Raina saw his chance for glory and decided to make the match his own. The left-handed batsman hit nine fours and four sixes in a 104-ball 110 to take India home in 48.4 overs.
India oust Bangladesh in quarter-final
Rohit Sharma slammed his 7th ODI ton at MCG vs Bangladesh.
© Getty Images
Taking Bangladesh lightly could have been a blunder, one that the Indians finally did not make. What they did do was register a clinical performance for a 109-run victory. (Team Dhoni Cruise Into Semis )
Choosing to bat first, Rohit hit a thunderous 137 off 126 balls to lead the way. Although one of his dismissals was declared null and void by the umpire under controversial circumstances, there was no denying that the innings as a whole was a remarkable display of crackling shots -- 14 for fours and three sixes.
Bangaldesh kept losing wickets in their chase and never really looked in complete control. With two straight tons, Mahmudullah shouldered the hopes of a nation but by the time he fell for 21, it was always going to be a matter of time. The batting decline was planned mainly by Umesh Yadav, who claimed four for 31 to help India bowl out yet another opposition, this one folding in exactly 45 overs.
Australia's road to semis:
Australia wallop England
Aaron Finch slammed a 100 v England
© Getty Images
England's misery in World Cup 2015 began with a 111-run defeat against the Aussies. The hosts in Melbourne were dominant from the word go and sent Eoin Morgan and his team packing without breaking even a single drop of sweat. (Australia Crush England )
Asked to bat first, the fearsome Aussie batting line-up scored 342 runs, courtesy Aaron Finch's 128-ball 135. Fifties from George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell added glitter to the batting carnival with Steven Finn claiming a hat-trick but with little bragging rights despite the feat.
James Taylor's gallant 98 was the only highlight of the England chase as Mitchell Marsh's five for 33 ensured a comfortable win in 41.5 overs.
Australia vs Bangladesh at Brisbane washed out
Australia had to share points with Bangladesh after their match was called off due to Cyclone Marcia.
Australia's flight grounded by New Zealand
Mitchell Starc - Australia's lethal weapon
© Getty Images
Australia's only defeat in World Cup 2015 so far came against hosts New Zealand in Auckland. In what is considered one of the best matches of the tournament, Australia lost by one wicket despite Mitchell Starc's dramatic six for 28. (New Zealand Edge Australia )
Australia's batting shockingly collapsed in a heap after the side decided to set a target. Trent Boult struck like a lightening and five times at that. His effort ensured a much-acclaimed batting unit could only muster 151 on the board. Brad Haddin top-scored with 43.
Kiwis got off to a flyer with captain Brendon McCullum hitting 50 off just 24. The twist in the tale came when Starc decided to hit the New Zealanders with full-length missiles -- several crashing either on the pads or straight into the stumps. New Zealand went from 78/1 to 146/9 but Kane Williamson (45 off 42) eventually managed to pull of crucial three points.
Australia decimate spirited Afghans
David Warner scored 150 against Afghanistan.
© Getty Images
After being left in complete shambles by the Kiwis, Aussie batting came out all guns blaziing at WACA. The result? A massive 275-run win against minnows Afghanistan. (Australia Inflict Record Defeat on Afghanistan )
Opting to bat first, Aussies got off to a flyer, thanks to David Warner. The opener's bat boomed all over the Perth venue and saw 178 being hit off a mere 133 balls. Steve Smith's responsible 95 off 98 and Maxwell's fiery 39-ball 88 further ruined the figures for Afghan bowlers.
While it was nearly impossible to chase down the total or even come close, Afghans abjectly surrendered by the 38th over with Mitchell Johnson spewing venom and walking away with four victims.
Australia pound Sri Lanka
Glenn Maxwell slammed Sri Lanka
© Getty Images
In another display of batting pomp, Australia scored 376 runs to help themselves to a 64-run win against the Sri Lankans at Sydney Cricket Ground. (Maxwell Ton Propels Australia Into the Quarters )
It was Smith who laid the foundation after his side chose to bat. The versatile cricketer hit 72 off 88 before Michael Clarke made the most of his return to the team and captaincy to stitch together a run-a-ball 68. The fireworks were provided by Shane Watson (67 off 41) and 'Mad' Maxwell (53-ball 102).
James Faulkner returned to the spotlight with a commendable three for 48 to skittle cap Sri Lanka's valiant fight for 312. It was an innings which saw Kumar Sangakkara slam 104 off 107 but in a losing cause.
Australia strangle Scotland
Mitchell Starc was at it again!
© Getty Images
Australia won the toss and this time, chose to field. In what was an early end to a one-sided contest, the hosts in Hobart registered a seven-wicket win. (Australia Rout Scotland )
Starc returned to haunt the opposition and his four for 14 helped his team bowl out Scotland for a paltry 130. Pat Cummins too struck terror with three wickets.
In reply, Clarke chose to open the innings and his 47 off 47 was good enough to script a win in 15.2 overs.
Australia knock out Pakistan in quarters
Shane Watson guided Australia to a win v Pakistan
© Getty Images
Aussie bowling once again came good, this time in the quarters. In what appeared like a comfortable six-wicket win against Pakistan though was anything but that. (Australia Down Pakistan )
Pakistan chose to bat first at Adelaide Oval but the batting really never got off the mark. Josh Hazlewood claimed four wickets and it left Pakistan without a total that could really threaten the Aussies. Apart from Haris Sohail's 41, no other batsman could contribute much in the eventual total of 213.
It was expected to be an easy chase but pacer Wahab Riaz bowled his heart out to expose chinks in Aussie batting armour. He got the ball to bounce at ferocious pace and gave Shane Watson a torrid time. He claimed two wickets but Watson (64 not out) and Smith (65) managed to take Aussies home and into the semis.
0 comments:
Post a Comment