Ind v Aus World T20 Preview: India eyeing semifinal spot

The last time the Aussies faced the might of India, they were routed rather embarrassingly at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, with the venue changed, the tournament involving almost everybody and the Indians backed to a corner, Steve Smith and his spirited Australia side will be backing themselves. While they are coming off emphatic wins over Bangladesh and Pakistan, the Indians are coming off a ‘smash and grab’ Bangladesh win. Therefore, it will be all to play for when these two heavyweights of international cricket collide in Mohali. The equation is simple – whoever wins, goes through to the semi-final, making this encounter a quarter-final of sorts.

Team News & Analysis

India:

The confidence in the India camp will be high, and with good reason. Their dramatic win against Bangladesh has proved to one and all that this format is nothing short of crazy. While the Indians are celebrating the much-needed win, there will be an emptiness at the back of their minds. Therefore, with the stakes increased rather considerably, MS Dhoni and co. will be hoping that lady luck smiles upon them once again as it did against Bangladesh.

The bigger picture for the Indians at the moment shows a few flaws in the batting. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan have failed to fire, thus increasing the dependence on the shoulders of Virat Kohli. Yet another crucial flaw is that the India stutters more often than not batting first while they seem invincible chasing a target. It also remains to be seen if Ajinkya Rahane gets the nod for the opening slot.

Australia:

Similar to the Indians, Steve Smith and co. will be on a high. After overwhelming Bangladesh, they effectively ended the tournament for a hapless Pakistan courtesy of a 21-run win. James Faulkner’s five-for, Aaron Finch’s redemption to form and David Warner’s prowess batting at no.4 is simple evidence of the plans coming together. It also finally seems as though the Aussies are coming to embrace the shortest form of the game, something they have failed to do thus far.

With the Australian juggernaut on a roll, it seems less likely that Steven Smith is going to make any changes. However, with the Mohali wicket seemingly becoming conducive to spin bowling, Smith may well opt to play spinner Ashton Agar ahead of one of the quicker bowlers. The match could also potentially be the final match for the workhorse Shane Watson for his national side, should the Aussies fall short of India.

Probable XI-

India:

MS Dhoni (C & wk), Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan/ Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya

Australia:

Steve Smith (C), Peter Nevill (wk), Shane Watson, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Aaron Finch, James Faulkner, Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Mitchell Marsh

Stat Attack

1. In the head to head between the two, India are ahead having won 8 of the 12 T20 internationals played.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin needs just one wicket to complete 50 wickets in T20 internationals. Virat Kohli needs just 30 runs to complete 1500 runs in T20 internationals.

3. Shane Watson needs 4 wickets to complete 50 wickets in T20Is. Watson also happens to be the second highest run-getter in T20Is for Australia. He needs 56 runs to complete 1500 runs.

4. David Warner has the most number of ducks in T20Is with 5 ducks to his name.

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