ICC World T20: Confident India look to extend winning-run against Aussies

Date and Time

March 30 2014

Start Time 1930 (Local)

What’s on offer

Shikhar Dhawan’s form would be a concern for India

It has been a clinical performance from India so far. They have won three out of three and became the first team to qualify for the knock-out stages. After a series of defeats overseas, and failing to qualify for the finals in Asia Cup, the Indian team would be relieved following a splendid performance in this tournament thus far. They would be looking to extend the winning run when they face Australia today on a spinner friendly track at Dhaka. Australia, however, would target for a huge win to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

The spinners have made huge impact in this tournament. For India, the stand-out performer was Amit Mishra who has claimed seven wickets in this tournament so far. He has been getting more purchase from the wicket. He also varied his length and pace constantly which kept the batsmen in check. Also, Ravichandran Ashwin who had a terrible overseas tours, made a huge impact in this tournament. Though he was not amongst wickets, he has been economical. Ashwin has been getting some turn off the surface which is important against Australia.

Australia have quality stroke makers and have handled the pacers brilliantly, but failed against spinners. Therefore, if Ashwin can bring in variations, Australia’s stroke makers – David Warner, Shane Watson and Aaron Finch would find difficult to accelerate the innings.

However, India still has problems with their bowling in the death overs. The pacers – Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami have not been able to control the run-flow at the end. They failed to alter the line and length in the end, which made life easier for batsmen to score runs.

In contrast, Amit Mishra did a pretty good job at the death overs. Hence it wouldn’t be a bad idea to use spinners in the final overs. Ashwin can bring in variations and Mishra can get extra bounce from surface, and therefore these two spinners can be effective in the final overs against Australia.

Jadeja, however, has gone for runs in the final overs. The surface is slow, and hence, if you deliver the ball at slow pace, it will be difficult for batsmen to pick. But Jadeja is bowling at high speed which makes it easy for batsmen to score runs. Therefore Jadeja can be used in the middle overs where he inflict damage on the Australia’s batting line-up. If these things are done, India would certainly have their noses-ahead.

Australia, on the other hand, have faltered against the quality spinners. However, they have quality stroke makers who can clear the ropes constantly. From David Warner to George Bailey, all are power hitters of the cricket-ball. Therefore Australia will have to target the Indian pacers.

It will be interesting to see who opens the bowling for India. If India opens with pace, it will be good for Australia as they can score runs at a brisk-rate. They can turn the heat on India and force Dhoni to think out-of-the-box. If India opens with spin, Australia would face a stern Test. Australia’s chances relies on how the batsmen fare well against India.

Pitch and Conditions

The surface at Dhaka has been providing more assist for spinners. Little bit of dew is expected later at night and hence it wouldn’t be a bad idea to field first.

Team News

India doesn’t want to tinker the winning combination and would look maintain the winning-run as that would give enormous amount of confidence when they play in the knock-out stage.

Australia would look stick with the same-side. They don’t want to tinker the combination by playing with two-spinners. India’s batsmen are capable of handling spin and thus Bailey would look to pose problems for India with his pacers.

Players to watch

Australia’s David Warner hasn’t been in good form. He failed to tackle the spinners. But in the last match against West Indies, he did a pretty good job. So, you can expect him build on the start in the next match.

India’s batting has been in prime form. With Rohit Sharma back into the groove, it has given enormous power to the batting line-up. But the only concern for India is Shikhar Dhawan’s form. He needs to work on his technique. Australia have quality pacers and they will test Dhawan with short-pitched stuff. It’s going to be difficult for Dhawan. If he can make an impact, India’s chances of claiming the title would significantly increase.

Quotes

“I wouldn’t want to swim in a tsunami. I wouldn’t want to challenge conditions. If we win the toss, we’ll again bowl first if that is what is required.” R Ashwin talks on India’s decision if they win the toss.

“[It's] not a weakness, because certainly spinners didn’t get us out, we got ourselves out. So we’ve got some work to do in that area, but that’s like every area: fast bowling, playing short-pitched bowling.” Darren Lehmann talks on Australia’s batting against spin