ICC World Cup 2019
India vs Australia Played at Kensington Oval London on 9 June 2019
Brief Score Card:
India 352/5 ( Shikhar Dhawan 117, Virat Kohli 82,,Rohit Sharma 57, Hritik Pandya 48, MS Dhoni 27. Marcus Stoinis 2/62 ) beat Australia 316 All out ( SPD Smith 69, D Warner 56, Alex Carey 55* ,UT Khawaja 42, Aron Flinch 36, Glen Maxwell 28, B Kumar 3/50, Juspreet Bumrah 3/61,YS Chahal 2/62) by 36 Runs
Player of The Match: Shikhar Dhawan
Reigning Champions Australia’s HEXA mission stumbled at team India’s road block. In the see saw dog fight India won by 36 runs for its superior all round ability. India batted and bowled better than India its top gun Dhawan (117) Kohli (82), Rohit (57) fired as expected and Indian bowlers B Kumar (3/50) and JJ Bumrah (3/61) delivered as required. Taem India appeared better equipped as Australia went down fighting. Several batsmen Smith (69), Warner (56), Carey (55*), Khawaja (42), Flinch (36) got start. But none could keep going. Australia left too much for the late order and finished 36 runs short before getting all out. On a flat track in Oval Indians bowled and fielded well. India has horses for their courses. The valuable two points Kohli’s men got put their noses in front among the tournament favorites. There is every possibilities that the two would meet again at business round later in the tournament.
These days India Australia match creates similar heat and excitements like Ashes or India Pakistan match. Wherever in the world it is played Lords, MCG, Chris church or Dubai, the terrace become sea of blues as Indian admirers gather in plenty. It was no different yesterday as Sun Shine beaconed Oval. India opting to bat took some time to get a feel of the Wicket. In the early spell Starc and Cummins bowled at pace and at right length. But Aussies failed to gain wickets. Quality Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit grew in confidence. 127 first wicket partnership laid a very solid foundation for team India. Rohit was a bit watchful, Dhawan had his usual flamboyance. Even after Rohit left scoring 57 in 70 deliveries Dhawan kept punishing a little wayward Australian bowling able supported by Kohli. Smart partnership produced 93 runs consolidating good start. Dhawan scored 117 and Kohli 82. Another 81 runs quick fired partnership between Kohli and Pandya (48) set India too a good competitive score of 352/5. For reasons unknown Australia’s strike bowler Starc looked a bit out of touch. It may be that Indian batsmen deliberately targeted India. Starc even if he does not take too many wickets bowl miserly. But yesterday he leaked 74 in his spell. Australin spinners Zampa and Maxwell were also collared. In 13 overs they gave away as many as 95 runs without taking a wicket. These days on good English wickets score of 350s are regularly chased. But if there is quality all round Indian attack it becomes a huge challenge for team like Australia even.
Top four of Australian batting order Smith (69), Warner (52), Khawaja (42) and Flich (36) got start. But quality Indain bowling did not let any innings grow big. Australians started getting behind in asking rate. Wicket keeper batsmen Alex Carey blasted a first unbeaten half century. But he kept on losing partners as Indian bowlers Kumar (3/50), Bumrah (3/ 61) and Chahal ( 2/ 60 ) took the wind of Australian sail. Indian curry proved too hot for Australians to digest. The target stayed 36 runs apart.
Very good win for team Australia. So far India looks the best prepared team of the Tournament. People talk about Indian batting. Yes India has great batting , deep and diverse. But in my opinion India has the best bowling unit in the tournament. Bumrah in the opening overs and the death is the most difficult bowler to collar. Chahal, Yadab are high quality wicket taking spinners, Kumar seams and swings like any top bowler. India looks the most likely team for appearing at Lords. Australia must think about their bowling resources. As sun starts appearing more regularly in English summer wickets would get more and more dry. Lloyn would be required at some stage. Warner and Smith would need carrying their bats through scoring big hundreds in place of 60s and 70s.
BDST: 1127 HRS, Jun 10, 2019
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