Umesh Yadav celebrates a strike at the SCG on Thursday.
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Australia's batting artillery turned out in full force at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday but India were able to somehow fight their way back into the World Cup semifinal, thanks to Umesh Yadav's blistering pace. The hosts had chosen to bat after winning the toss under clear, sunny skies in Sydney. (Full Coverage )
Umesh was expensive to start with and went for 12 runs in his first over of the day. Australian opener David Warner was particularly harsh, clobbering the pacer for a four and a six. However, Umesh had the last laugh off the first ball of his next over, removing Warner with a short-of-a-length delivery.
Australia recovered splendidly thereafter, as Steve Smith and Aaron Finch rebuilt the innings. The duo had added 182 runs for the second wicket and looked good to stitch a few more together before MS Dhoni called on Umesh again. It was sheer pace that undid Smith, who had just moments before brought up his fourth ODI hundred. The young batsman top edged a bouncer and the chance was gleefully accepted by Rohit Sharma at deep square leg.�
Umesh was at it again, knocking off the other well-set batsman, Finch for 81. The opener top edged a quick short delivery to Shikhar Dhawan at midwicket. The three strikes helped India claw their way back in a contest that had started to swing heavily in favour of the Aussies.
Dhoni then decided to hold Umesh back for the death overs and that was a wise call too. Jolted by the loss of a few quick wickets, Shane Watson and James Faulkner started playing the big shots but not for long. Umesh, India's bowling hero in Sydney, turned up again to get rid of the dangerous Faulkner for 21 with a full and straight delivery.
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