World T20: India Face Fierce Rivals Australia in Battle For Semifinal Spot
India and Australia are both tied on four points. A victory for either team will take their tally to six and confirm their berth in the World T20 semifinals.
Highlights
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Australia have never beaten India in T20Is in India
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India beat Australia 3-0 in the recent T20 series in Australia
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Winner of the match will join New Zealand in semis from Group 2
India will have to lift their game by several notches against an ever-improving Australia when the two fierce rivals clash in a virtual quarterfinal of the ICC World T20 in Mohali on Sunday. (Australia Will Miss Second Spinner Against India, Feels Dean Jones)
India, who were the overwhelming favourites going into the tournament, have been far from convincing in the three games they have played so far. (Australia Knock Pakistan Out of World T20)
The inaugural edition champions began their campaign with a 47-run crushing defeat to 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 a mere one run.
Australia, on the other hand, have been improving with every game and a convincing win against Pakistan in a must-win match on Friday has prepared them well for another knockout battle.
James Faulkner and Shane Watson think playing India in their own backyard is the ultimate challenge but the home team also knows they have a daunting task at hand on Sunday.
India, however, will take confidence from the fact that they blanked Australia in Australia 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 rivals at the IS Bindra Stadium which is expected to be fully packed.
India's star-studded batting have been below par starting with the performance of openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who are yet to fire in the competition.
Star batsman Virat Kohli will be key to India's chances again but the others too need to rise to the occasion.
Suresh Raina scored a 30 against Bangladesh but he is facing the heat alongside Yuvraj Singh, who will have the added pressure of performing at his home ground.
The bowlers have done a decent job especially the spin combine of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.