AUS vs IND T20 World Cup: India and Australia are putting on an absolute show in the crunch T20 World Cup match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. The Aussies struck the first blow by winning the toss, with captain Mitchell Marsh opting to bowl first. The decision backfired as Rohit Sharma rolled back the years, hitting all the Aussie bowlers around the park. The former Mumbai Indians captain scored an incredible 92 runs off just 41 balls, helping India post a daunting total of 205/5.
Also Read: BCCI announces squad for Zimbabwe Tour
Axar Patel’s Stunning Catch in AUS vs IND T20 World Cup
Although David Warner departed early during the big chase, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh took the fight to India, adding 81 runs in just 48 balls. That partnership was taking the game away from the Men in Blue. However, with a big target, continuous hitting is required.
Australia’s captain was batting on 37 off 27 balls when he tried to clear the boundary ropes towards the leg side. The ball seemed to be traveling over the rope, but Axar Patel did the unthinkable. The Delhi Capitals all-rounder jumped perfectly and plucked a flying catch.
AXAR PATEL – YOU BEAUTY…!!! 🤯pic.twitter.com/XtOPbtrKqj
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 24, 2024
AUS vs IND: Game of the tournament?
Many predicted the Australia vs India match to be a “final before the final,” and that’s exactly what’s unfolding as both teams produce high-quality cricket in Saint Lucia.
Australia won the toss and decided to bowl first on a pitch that looked flat. Josh Hazlewood was immaculate with his line and length, sending superstar Virat Kohli (0 off 5) back to the pavilion early.
If Australia was looking to turn the screw on the Indian team, that never materialized. Rohit Sharma brought his A-game, hammering bowlers all around the park, especially Mitchell Starc, whom Sharma hit for 29 runs in the 3rd over. The Indian captain missed out on a deserved century but did the damage as India posted 205/6 in 20 overs.
Australia’s innings started similarly to India’s, losing David Warner in the 1st over. However, it then became the Travis Head show as he began hitting Indian bowlers for all kinds of shots.
At one stage, Australia were 125/2 in 12 overs, needing 81 more runs to win in 48 balls. That was a winnable situation as the required run-rate was just 10.12. But when Kuldeep Yadav bowled Glenn Maxwell out in the 14th over, it was the turning point in the match. The final coffin came in the 17th over when Jasprit Bumrah got the better of Travis Head (76 off 43).
In the end, Australia could make only 181/7, falling short by 24 runs.
With the win, India are through to the semi-final but Australia are on the brink as they could be out of the competition if Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in the other match.
