After
India's loss to the West Indies, it was a do or die situation
for both Australia and India. The PCA stadium at Mohali was
packed with 35,000 spectators who had come to witness the
crunch encounter. Rahul Dravid won the toss and chose to have
a bat.
Virender Sehwag was under enormous pressure after a string
of failures. He got India to a good start with some great
shots off Brett Lee. Glenn McGrath was accurate as always,
removing Sachin Tendulkar (10) off a beautifully pitched delivery.
Dinesh Mongia, replacing the injured Yuvraj Singh, looked
confident before falling to Shane Watson for 18. Dravid and
Sehwag constructed a good partnership, but neither was able
to break the shackles in the middle-overs due to some tight
Australian bowling. Sehwag scored 65 of 90 balls before falling
leg-before to Mitchell Johnson attempting to play a rash shot.
Mohammad Kaif shared another good partnership with Dravid.
However, the run-rate was always a problem for India. Brett
Lee returned for his third spell and got rid of Dravid (52)
and Kaif (30). Just when India needed MS Dhoni to power them
to a high score, Australia showed why they are the world-beaters
in both forms of the game. Their bowlers maintained a full
length, not allowing Dhoni to free his arms. Raina also struggled
for runs in the final overs. India finished on 249 for 7 off
their 50 overs. Lee, McGrath and Nathan Bracken picked up
two wickets each.
Australia
started the run-chase in the most professional manner. Munaf
Patel and Irfan Pathan looked out of sorts. Gilchrist and
Watson gave Australia a flying start. Sreesanth made the breakthrough
with the help of a superb catch by Raina to remove Adam Gilchrist.
Ponting joined Watson and another partnership began to build.
Australia built these partnerships at a far quicker rate than
India. Dinesh Mongia got some turn as he dismissed Watson
for 50. Australia simply kept on cruising. Damien Martyn and
Ponting scored runs at will. Sreesanth returned to have Ponting
(58) caught by Tendulkar. Andrew Symonds and Martyn strolled
towards the target. Australia got home with 22 balls to spare
and six wickets in hand. Martyn remained unbeaten on 73 while
Indian bowling left much to be desired.
The
victory enabled Australia to top Group A and set a semi-final
clash with arch rivals New Zealand. India’s exit signalled
the end of Asian teams at the tournament. With West Indies
taking on South Africa, the semi-finals will surely be a treat
to watch.
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Virender Sehwag
atlast found some form!
Rahul Dravid
contributed 52 runs to India's total
Brett Lee picked up vital wickets to peg back India
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