A patchy India will have to lift their game by several notches against an improving Australian side when the two rivals clash in a virtual quarterfinal cricket match of the ICC World Twenty20 on Sunday.
India, who were the overwhelming favourites going into the tournament, have been far from convincing in the three games they have played so far.
The inaugural edition champions began their campaign by crashing out against New Zealand before bouncing back with a six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan.
But the home side would have found themselves in a precarious situation if it was not for a self-destructive Bangladesh and a brilliant sprint stumping from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the previous game which they won by one mere run.
A Daunting Australia Gets Better With Every Game
Australia, on the other hand, have been improving with every game and a convincing victory against Pakistan in a must-win match have prepared them well for another knock-out battle.
James Faulkner and Shane Watson may think playing India in their own backyard is the ultimate challenge but the home team also knows they have a daunting task at hand tomorrow.
India, however, will take confidence in the fact that they blanked Australia on their turf in the three-match series in January, even though they played against a different squad then. In any case, another close contest is expected between the two tough rivals at the IS Bindra Stadium which is expected to be fully packed.
India’s Batting Has Been A Sorry Affair
India’s star-studded batting have been below par and openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma are yet to fire in the competition.
Star batsman Virat Kohli will be key to India’s chances but the others need to pull up their socks.
The bowlers have done a decent job, especially the spin combination of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
The nail-biter against Bangladesh was also a good test for youngsters like Jaspreet Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, who rose to the occasion and helped India clinch a thriller. The experienced Ashish Nehra has been tidy in his four overs.
The Mohali pitch may not offer a lot of turn but the Indian spinners will play a big role in Sunday’s game.
India Must Step Up Their Game
The batsmen, who fell to spin against New Zealand, will have to negotiate the likes of Adam Zampa tomorrow. The rookie-leg spinner has provided crucial strikes in the last two games and won the confidence of his skipper Steven Smith.
Fielding is another area where India must improve after an ordinary effort against Bangladesh.
Australia are in good spirits after the win against Pakistan in a high-scoring match. Opener Usman Khawaja has been in top form and Smith and Watson were back among the runs yesterday. They have had the opportunity to play a game in Mohali and have already adjusted to the conditions.
It remains to be seen what opening combination Australia go with tomorrow. Khawaja and Watson opened in the first two games before Aaron Finch joined Khawaja against Pakistan. Pushing the dangerous David Warner down the order has not worked for the Australians so far.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)