India’s performance in the World T20 so far can be best described as schizophrenic. A humiliating loss to New Zealand was followed by a euphoric win against Pakistan before they almost lost to Bangladesh — a game they were in control of for most parts — and yet miraculously won by one run.
It hasn’t been a typical performance from Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men in a format that they seem to have mastered in the recent past, but it has underlined their gumption to fight. Dhoni’s quick thinking and immaculate cricketing sense has been to the fore, but the hosts know they will need much more than that in their must-win Super 10 Group 2 clash against Australia here on Sunday.
A virtual quarter-final, Sunday’s much-awaited encounter pits two of the most entertaining and talented teams in world cricket at present.
Unlike India, Australia have been the perennial strugglers in T20 but this tournament has seen them come into their own. Steve Smith has led with confidence and the team have shown enough firepower to take the game to the opposition.
Barring the loss to New Zealand, Australia have been dominant showcasing depth in their batting order and a solid performance from their bowlers. James Faulkner clinched Australia’s best figures in T20 internationals with 5/27 against Pakistan on Friday, while the rest too have been consistent.
All-rounder Shane Watson is set to call it a day after this tournament, and the team would be keen to send him out on a high. Australia are no. 1 in Test rankings and are the reigning 50-over World Cup champions. They have only made the World T20 final once in 2010 losing to England, but will be keen to turn things around here.
India will do well to remember their 3-0 T20 series win over Australia in January, but Dhoni’s men have a lot to think about ahead of the crucial match.
Test skipper Virat Kohli admitted that it was not “possible to be consistent” in this format and asserted the significance of keeping top focus and concentration to ensure positive results.
The hosts have been good in patches, but an overall spunk has been missing. Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina haven’t really fired, while a big knock from Rohit Sharma is due.
Virat Kohli has hit the purple patch but the hosts will need a greater effort from the lower middle order if they are to realise their dream of lifting the cup in front of home fans,
Dhoni’s penchant for fielding an unchanged XI is well known, but on the morrow he might be tempted to hand over the ball to local boy Harbhajan Singh given the conditions.
On the day, there were indications that Ajinkya Rahane might get a look in on Sunday in place of Yuvraj Singh, who reportedly has a problem in his shoulder. Rahane spent a lot of time in the nets batting ahead of Yuvraj.
