Australia vs India, World Cup 2015 Semi-Final: Blind Spots, Where Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men
Australia take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Michael Clarke's men are definitely favourites on their home ground but have a few gaping holes that India could take advantage of.
In World Cup 2015, Australia have had a good run of form but they haven't looked invincible. Mitchell Starc has ripped the heart out of opponents but Australia as a team has lacked the steel that they have been infamous for.
On the eve of the semi-finals with India, Australia have been talking a lot. Glenn Maxwell has already reminded India of their poor Aussie tour while James Faulkner has said that sledging will be 'inevitable' in such a high pressure encounter. It's a part of their game and against familiar foes India, they intend to use their age-old tactic of 'mental disintegration'. (India can Hurt Australia: Srinath)
Australia are definitely favourites on their home grounds but have a few gaping holes that India could take advantage of. (Clarke Backs Warner to Behave)
The Opening
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Aaron Finch started World Cup 2015 with aplomb against England but since then has been in woeful form. After smashing a hundred to smear England's opening campaign into dust, Finch has fallen into a slumber. With just 64 runs in the next five digs, the right-handed dasher is in a spot of bother. Finch has been trying too many shots too early in his innings and has made some silly decisions. He even wasted the DRS call against Pakistan!
However, he is still an important part of the Aussie batting. He's explosive and along with David Warner can ransack an opposition. Against an in-form Indian pace bowling, Finch would be tested. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav have been hitting the strides early and Finch might land into a soup if he tries to hit his way out of trouble. (Perfect Time to Beat Australia: Kohli)
Michael Clarke
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The World Cup has been anything but a smooth ride for the Australian captain. He has been an emotional roller-coaster on and off the field and has been battling through a lot of pain. The Aussies started the tournament without him and till now, Clarke has failed to create a major impact.
Clarke's addition has made the middle-order solid but there hasn't been any significant contribution from his willow. In fact, the way he crumbled against a fiery Wahab Riaz should encourage the Indian pacers to test him with the short delivery. (Rohit Sharma: India Can Pass Sydney Test)
Leading the side, Mitchell Starc has made his job much easier. However, Clarke has failed to find a solution to Australia's spin problems in the middle over. If Australia crashes out against India, there would be serious questions as to whether Australia are better off under the leadership of a more like-able George Bailey or the young superstar Steve Smith.
Spinners
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This has to be Australia's biggest blind spot. A country that once produced the classy Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, has gone into this World Cup with Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty as the lead spinners. Both are far from top class and not even close to Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon
Till now, the Australian pacers have delivered the goods and the opposition has failed to take advantage of their weakness but the partnership between Tillakratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara during the league phase has left their vulnerability exposed to the entire world.
Against a quality side like India, the Aussies will miss a spinning option to choke the runs during the middle-overs. India will be aware of it and would be waiting to pounce. Maxwell might be ready to take on the role of the lead spinner but MS Dhoni will have a quite smirk on his face if the Sydney pitch dries up in time.