Australia’s dream of winning the T20 World Cup is on thin ice. Rohit Sharma’s astounding 92 runs led India to a 24-run victory over Australia in St Lucia. Hey, what an incredible inning he played!
With this win, India proudly sits atop the Super 8 Group 1. India have won all their matches. Up next is a match against defending champions England, which will be played in Guyana on Thursday at 3.30 pm BST.
Things are getting a bit tougher for Australia. Afghanistan could be eliminated from the tournament if they beat Bangladesh in their final group match. Oh, and it starts at 1.30 am BST on Tuesday. And if Bangladesh wins and their net run rate soars, it will be game over for Australia, who will face South Africa in the semi-finals.
Australia wanted to win and ensure their place in the semi-finals. But Rohit’s batting was just too good, hitting eight sixes and seven fours, making this one of the most memorable innings of the T20 World Cup.
After winning the coin toss, India got off to a fast start and crossed the 100-run mark before the end of the ninth over. Rohit’s rampage ended when he was bowled by Mitchell Starc in the 12th over with India’s score at 127-2. The Australians didn’t give up anytime soon. In fact, they retreated and restricted India to 205 for 5.
David Warner, playing perhaps his last international match (bittersweet!), was caught early for six. Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh then lit the match against India.
They built an 81-run partnership until Axar Patel took a phenomenal catch just eight overs later and Marsh was bowled out for 37 runs.
Head also played on until he had to return to the pavilion, scoring 76, but when Australia needed more boundaries to reach that lofty total, their chances dried up and so did their chances. At the final check, Australia stumbled at 181 for 7, but we will remain hopeful that Bangladesh will do something special from now on.
When all the initial excitement was over and things settled down, Josh Hazlewood, despite all that happened, put in a remarkable bowling performance, conceding just 14 runs in his four overs.
In those tense final moments, India managed just four runs, including a big 62 from Hardik Pandya and a big six from Ravindra Jadeja towards the end.
Rohit spoke as man of the match after his knock. He said he always tries to understand what the bowlers are planning and then adjusts his gameplay – really cool under pressure!
On the Australian side, captain Mitchell Marsh expressed his disappointment but said there is still a glimmer of hope if things go in their favor in other matches. We are not giving up!
