1.6 overs (0 Run)
On a length and around off, Rishabh Pant strides out and pushes it to short covers. Just one run and huge wicket from that over then!
1.5 overs (0 Run)
Angling away, on a full length, around off, Rishabh Pant leans on it and times the drive towards mid off.
Rishabh Pant walks out to bat number 3.
1.4 overs (0 Run)
OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Expertly held by Tim David. Josh Hazlewood with the early strike for Australia. Hazlewood goes into the wicket and lands it on off, Virat Kohli goes for the pull but gets this one high on the bat and he hits this one into the wind. This results in the ball not travelling far enough to evade mid on. Tim David at mid on, runs over his shoulder to his right, keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through and takes a fine catch.
1.3 overs (0 Run)
At 133.9 kph, short of a length, on the off-stump line, Virat Kohli presents a high elbow and punches it straight to cover-point on the bounce.
1.2 overs (0 Run)
Angling into the right-hander, on a good length, on off, the bat turns in Virat Kohli’s hands as he tucks this one off the inner half of the bat to mid-wicket.
1.1 overs (1 Run)
Hazlewood starts from over the wicket and lands it on a hard length, over off, Rohit Sharma stays back and taps the ball on its head to glide it down to deep third for a single.
Josh Hazlewood to share the attack.
0.6 over (0 Run)
This comes back in a touch, on a good length, on off, Virat Kohli defends it right under his eye line as he presents a straight bat and blocks it down the deck.
0.5 over (0 Run)
Good shot for no run! Pitches it right up to the batter, outside off, Virat Kohli leans on it and drives it crisply but picks out the man at cover.
0.4 over (1 Run)
Starc pulls the length back and keeps it in the channel on off, Rohit Sharma waits on it and runs it down to deep third with an open bat face for a single.
0.3 over (4 Runs)
FOUR! Good wristwork and Rohit Sharma is away! Hurls it full and shaping in a touch, on off and middle, Rohit Sharma shuffles across slightly and brings his wrists into play to whip it between mid-wicket and mid on for the first boundary of the game.
0.2 over (0 Run)
Rohit Sharma survives an early scare! Indian fans breathe a huge sigh of relief. Starc slips in a low full toss, angling away, near the tramline on off, Rohit Sharma reaches out to play it towards the off side but gets a bottom edge on it. It goes back onto the turf and then goes straight to first slip.
Has that carried? The fielder at first slip thinks so. The two umpires come together for a discussion and send it upstairs. However, the replay clearly shows that it is a bump ball.
0.1 over (0 Run)
Steams in from over the wicket does Mitchell Starc and goes full in search of swing but ends up serving a juicy full toss, around off, Rohit Sharma gets taken by surprise slightly and drives it square towards backward point. Missed out there did the Indian skipper!
Done with the pre-match formalities! Despite the early start, the fans have come in numbers in St. Lucia and the atmosphere is great inside the stadium. The Australian players spread out and take their respective field positions. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are the two openers for India. As expected, Mitchell Starc has the new ball in his hand and is raring to go. Let’s play…
We are moments away from the clash between the heavyweights, but before that, the players make their way out to the middle and line up for their respective national anthems. It will be India’s national anthem first followed by the national anthem of Australia.
PITCH REPORT – Harsha Bhogle is pitchside. He says that there is a nice breeze blowing across the ground and wind will be a factor of consideration for the two teams. Tells that the dimensions of the square boundaries are 66 meters and 69 meters with a 78-meter straight hit. Aaron Finch joins him and he opines that Australia have made the correct decision of bowling first. Adds that there is a little bit of moisture on the surface and both pacers and spinners will enjoy that. Feels that with the newer ball, the seam will grip into the surface, resulting in assistance for the bowlers.
Rohit Sharma, the skipper of India says they would have bowled first as well. Adds that the wicket looks a bit sticky and having batted first in the last couple of games, they wanted to chase. Tells that the pitch looks good but the overhead conditions matter too. Mentions that they have adapted well in this tournament and every game is a must-win and nothing changes for them. Informs that they are unchanged.
The captain of Australia, Mitchell Marsh says that this looks like a belter of a wicket. Adds that there is a bit of breeze around and the surface looks lovely. Tells that this is a big challenge and that the boys are up and about for it. Shares that they have found themselves in this position earlier as well and they are looking forward to this game. Feels that the pressure is always there in must-win games but they have an experienced group of players and the mood has been great. Informs that they have one made change with Mitchell Starc coming in for Ashton Agar.
India (Unchanged Playing XI) – Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia (Playing XI) – Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (C), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (WK), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc (In place of Ashton Agar), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
TOSS – All in readiness for the flip of the coin. It falls in favour of Mitchell Marsh. Australia have elected to BOWL first.
Having faltered against Afghanistan, Australia have all to do, heading into this game against India. A win big enough to surpass India on NRR will assure them of qualification, leaving India and Afghanistan jostling for the other semifinal spot. Any other result, however, will leave them hoping for a favourable outcome in the game between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. In their previous encounter, the Aussies were not only poor with the bat but also in the field, but you’d expect them to pick themselves up and give themselves the best possible chance of making it through. Will this pressure situation bring the best out of Mitchell Marsh and his men? Or will it be India to secure their qualification and push Australia towards the exit door? Join us for the ride to find out!
With commanding wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh, India find themselves in pole position in the race for a spot in the semis, and a win by any margin should suffice for them to go through. Due to their strong NRR, India should be fine even with a defeat, unless they lose by a big margin here and Afghanistan inflict a heavy defeat on Bangladesh. In stark contrast to their past struggles, from Rohit Sharma right down to Hardik Pandya at number 6, the batting approach was quite refreshing to see in the last outing and expect more of the same as the team aims to go the distance. Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling form has been below par, but it has not affected them much, with others performing as a cohesive unit.
And they meet again! India and Australia cross paths in a Men’s ICC event for the first time since that famous night in Ahmedabad, joyous for some but heartbreaking for others. The stakes are high, as they were that night as the two teams eye a place in the semifinals of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. On that note, hello and welcome from the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia, where anticipation is palpable ahead of this colossal clash. Adding to the intrigue, the weather is a bit uncertain, but let’s remain hopeful that the rain stays away.
Topics mentioned in this article
2.1 overs (6 Runs)
SIX! Timed to perfection! Rohit Sharma with the first six of the game.