India defeated Australia by 24 runs in St Lucia thanks to an innings in which Rohit Sharma blasted a 41-ball 92, a throwback to his legendary peak as a white-ball hitter. Travis Head was also in his groove, much like he was in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, but Australia’s pursuit was dashed by Kuldeep Yadav’s enchanted spell as Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell fell, soon after which Head fell.
Where was the game won?
owing to Rohit attack in the opening part of India’s innings. Even though St Lucia is a six-hitting facility and there was wind, it wasn’t always easy to tee off on the surface, especially when playing against the older ball. For this reason, Rohit innings was notable. The Indian skipper was the only batsman to hit the ball cleanly during the match, and his amazing attack on Mitchell Starc, which came just after Virat Kohli was out for a duck, was a sign of purpose that completely destroyed Australia. Although Australia did do rather well in the second half, their total of 205 always looked a little bit more than necessary.
INDIA
Powerplay: Rohit rips into Australia’s bowlers
Phase score: India 60/1 [RR: 10.00, 4s/6s: 5/5]
When India was put to bat, they got off to a shocking start when Virat Kohli, who had been struggling throughout the competition, went for a duck in the second over. Australia had just found their footing—until Rohit made the decision to counterattack. And he delivered a counterpunch. The move that placed India in the box seat came after Starc was blasted for a 29-run over that featured four sixes. Rohit remained resolute and exerted tremendous pressure on the Australian bowlers.
Middle overs: India keep the momentum going
Phase score: India 102/3 [RR: 11.33, 4s/6s: 8/7]
After the powerplay, Australia would have liked to slow down the scoring, but Rohit was not about to give up. After a rather erratic innings, he did lose Rishabh Pant, but Suryakumar Yadav entered the game and promptly began matching his speed with some sharp strokes. 54 runs were scored in the four overs that followed the powerplay, with boundaries coming thick and fast. India was on the rampage and not even Adam Zampa’s cunning could stop it. Australia had some respite when Starc was brought back by Marsh’s punt. To stop the run-scoring, the left-arm pacer removed both of the set hitters on his next over. But by then, India had established itself as a formidable power.
Death overs: Australia do damage control but India end on a strong score
Phase score: India 43/1 [RR: 8.60, 4s/6s: 3/1]
Australia managed to finish the innings quite successfully after Rohit and Suryakumar were out, as just four boundaries were given up in the final five overs. In the middle of all the chaos, Josh Hazlewood bowled superbly to cap off an incredible performance, while Pat Cummins also bowled well.
During this phase, only the 19th over bowled by Marcus Stoinis proved highly expensive (14 runs), but otherwise, they were able to contain India, who seemed set to score a total of 220 or more.
AUSTRALIA
Powerplay: Warner falls but Head and Marsh motor along
Phase score: Australia 65/1 [RR: 10.83, 4s/6s: 7/4]
Similar to their opponents, Australia lost a significant wicket early on when David Warner was bowled out by Arshdeep Singh in the first over of the chase. But Marsh and Head countered sharply, even taking a Jasprit Bumrah for 14 on the powerplay. India certainly looked caught off guard by the attack, especially on their best bowler, as they gave up runs in the first six overs. Once they adjusted to the pace of the wicket, both hitters seemed to be in dangerous touch.
Middle overs: Australia explode but Kuldeep-Axar produce game-defining moments
Phase score: Australia 76/3 [RR: 8.44, 4s/6s: 4/6]
It was a tale of two halves, the midway overs phase. It was Axar Patel’s stroke of brilliance at the deep square leg fence that broke the partnership, which India needed. When a maximum appeared certain, he perfectly timed his leap to capture a precise overhead catch. But Maxwell got off to a flying start and, alongside Head, kept Australia afloat as the runs came in quickly. However, Kuldeep got the final laugh when he moved Maxwell, causing him to momentarily lose consciousness. Axar then came back with the ball to take out Stoinis. Australia collapsed from a position of enormous comfort as India concluded the middle overs phase with great success.
Death overs: India close out the game with aplomb
Phase score: 40/3 [RR: 8.00, 4s/6s: 1/2]
Like the Indian innings before it, Australia’s slog overs became increasingly tedious. Head was left with too much to accomplish and died too, wickets falling all around him. With Bumrah having two overs remaining at the end, Australia was never going to be able to overcome the mini-collapse between overs 10-15, and the asking rate was always going to be too big to climb. Axar delivered a fantastic sixteenth over, cramping Head as he had done to Imad Wasim in New York, much like he had done in the match against Pakistan. Australia needed to score heavily in this over, and as soon as they failed to do so, the game swiftly got away from them.
Brief scores: India 205/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 92, Suryakumar Yadav 31; Mitchell Starc 2-45) beat Australia 181/7 in 20 overs (Travis Head 76, Mitchell Marsh 37; Kuldeep Yadav 2-24) by 24 runs
What’s next?
Pre-tournament seeding indicates that India has secured a spot in the semifinals, where they will play England in a rematch of their 2022 semifinal encounter. The event will take place in Guyana. Although they haven’t been eliminated yet, Australia must defeat Afghanistan in order to advance. The Asian team advances to the semifinals if Afghanistan wins or is eliminated.
Read More: Athapaththu T20I career-best gives SL take 1-0 lead
