As It Happened: India vs Australia, 2nd Semi-Final Match in Sydney
Live cricket score and ball-by-ball commentary of the 2nd World Cup semi-final match between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney on Thursday.
Australia will play fellow co-hosts New Zealand in Sunday's World Cup final in Melbourne after they beat defending champions India by 95 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Catch all the highlights of the match here: (SCORECARD | SCHEDULE)
Steven Smith's 105 and his second-wicket stand of 182 with opener Aaron Finch was the cornerstone of Australia's imposing 328 for seven, made after skipper Michael Clarke won the toss.
But India -- unbeaten in their run to the semi-finals -- fought back with paceman Umesh Yadav taking four for 72 before Mitchell Johnson smashed 27 not out off nine balls.
India made a bold start to their stiff chase but lost two quick wickets after opener Shikhar Dhawan holed out for 45.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the India captain, rallied his side with a run-a-ball 65 until he was run out by Glenn Maxwell's direct hit with only one stump to aim at.
India were eventually dismissed for 233.
New Zealand and Australia have already met at this World Cup, with New Zealand winning by just one wicket in a pool-phase thriller at Auckland's Eden Park last month.
Live Score - India vs Australia
That's it for the coverage of this match. Join us back for the all Trans-Tasman final on 29th March 0900 IST. Promise you, it will be a cracker of a game. Until then, it's goodbye.
The pace attack also fired in this World Cup. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav picked up wickets at will and Mohit Sharma ably supported them. Ashwin and Jadeja too were brilliant and the fact that they took 77 wickets in 7 match justifies this. India now have a break from international cricket and keep the good work going so that they can come back stronger for the next World Cup to go two steps ahead and win the tournament back again.
India have played some great cricket in this tournament. They outclassed all their opponents till the semi-finals but just failed to get past the Aussies. The batsmen batted well to put scores on the board and even chased them down with comfort. The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma provided starts and the middle order capitalized on that start very well. Barring Rahane, all the top five batsmen got a hundred in this tournament.
STEVEN SMITH is adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant batting. At the presentation, he said 330 was just about par and they needed to bowl and field well. The boys did a tremendous job, and they can't wait for Melbourne. He also added, it felt nice to contribute in a few wins and he is looking forward for the finals against New Zealand.
Australia with this win will play the co-hosts New Zealand in the finals. They were earlier beaten by them in the league stage in New Zealand and would love to avenge that defeat in the finals. They now stand a chance to win the World Cup for fifth time and the first in their own backyard.
Australia have outclassed India today and sent them packing back home after four grueling months Down Under. They had a fantastic World Cup so far but just could not defeat the Aussies in their own backyard. India started the chase off well. Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put in 76 off 77 balls for the first wicket. But as soon as Dhawan fell, India lost it's way and never really recovered. Mitchell Starc was again the pick of the bowlers picking up 2 wickets and giving away just 28 runs in his 8.5 overs.
OUT! Gozunder! Starc has cleaned up Yadav with a yorker and the fireworks light up Sydney. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 95 RUNS and advance to the finals of the 2015 World Cup.
Full and just outside off, Yadav looks to play at it but fails.
Back of a length, the batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails.
Banged it in short. Yadav is struck on the helmet.