CHANDIGARH, India — The Super 10s Group 2 comes to its conclusion on Saturday as India and Australia face off for a place in the semi-finals of the World T20.
Both sides go into the match on the back of rousing victories, Australia’s more convincing over Pakistan compared to India’s fightback against Bangladesh but no more vital in gaining crucial momentum at this stage of the tournament.
The hosts, huge favourites to lift the trophy before a ball was even bowled here, have been underwhelming for large parts but crucially have shown their ability to get over the line in crunch situations.
They will take positives from their resounding 3-0 T20I series win over Australia in January but reading too much into that victory would be dangerous.
This Australian side is much changed since that defeat on home soil and against Pakistan their batting order finally clicked with Aaron Finch coming into open and Shane Watson superbly finishing off the innings alongside Steve Smith in the middle order.
With all to play for the pressure will be immense for both sets of players but India will be made well aware of the importance of victory in front of a partisan crowd.
WHAT THEY SAID
VIRAT KOHLI:
“It’s very difficult to be a consistent team in this format and I think we need to come to terms with that. Sometimes you need character from a few people to get you over the line and that’s exactly what happened in the last game. Sometimes we tend to get carried away with the occasion or the importance of the game or the situation that we’re in we forget to do what needs to be done on that particular delivery which can be a game changing event.”
SHANE WATSON:
“We know we’re going to have to be at our absolute best against India, they are an incredible team and have world class players all the way through their whole lineup. Especially in Indian conditions it’s going to be a huge challenge for us but the good thing is that we played very well against Pakistan. I know that conditions will be different and their team’s going to be different as well and we’re going to have to be at our absolute best.”
PREDICTION
Australia looked very good in their win over Pakistan but did so without ever being placed under sustained pressure. It will be very different against a much more able Indian fielding side who will be supported in great number in Mohali. India will be buoyant after the Bangladesh victory and should edge it here.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
India: Sharma, Dhawan, Kohli, Raina, Pandya, Dhoni (c/wk), Yuvraj, Jadeja, Ashwin, Nehra, Bumrah
Australia: Khawaja, Finch, Warner, Smith (c), Maxwell, Watson, Faulkner, Nevill (wk), Zampa, Coulter- Nile, Hazlewood