ICC World Cup 2015: 5 key players for India against Australia

India versus Australia is going to be the most epic clash of this year’s World Cup. On one side is a team that has no apparent weaknesses, and on the other side is a galvanised unit that is being led by an inspired leader and performing in a manner no one expected them to.Ahead of the 26th’s mega event, we look at five players who are going to be the key to India’s success in paving a path for a meeting with New Zealand at the MCG for a figh-out for the ultimate crown in the game of cricket.

#5 Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

It is a known fact that Suresh Raina doesn’t like short-pitch bowling. It’s also a known fact that most teams attack him with such kind of bowling to the extent that he can almost predict every second ball coming at him will be a bouncer.

This makes the subplot involving Suresh Raina and the left-handed pacers of Australia very interesting. The deliveries that Raina can expect will be chest high, and will cramp him for room. That’s where his short-arm pulls, and flicks on to the leg side will come in handy.

Like it or not, Raina has created the most impact for India in this World Cup, and that too against good teams, in crunch games. The match against Australia will be no different. Being a left-hander, it will also be easier for him to score against Xavier Doherty and tackle the deliveries coming into him from James Faulkner. Against quality fast-bowling, most people will make the mistake of writing Raina off. And that’s exactly what they will commit by doing so, a mistake.

World Cup so far – Innings: 5, Runs: 277, Average: 69.25, HS: 110*, 50/100: 2/1, Catches: 6

#4 Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami

The Bengal pacer has been an absolute revelation in this tournament. Coming into the competition as the highest wicket-taker of 2014, Shami lived up to the expectations of leading the Indian bowling attack.

His shortened strides, and leaner body has ensured that his deliveries are a couple of clicks quicker than usual. Alongwith Umesh Yadav, Shami has been consistent in getting India the early breakthroughs, and his control over the short delivery has been exemplary.

If the Australia-Pakistan quarter-final was anything to go by, at least two to three Australian batsmen have issues with the rising ball coming in to their body. Shami, who has been bowling at a reasonable pace, hitting 140+ regularly, will look to exploit this weakness. For someone like Steven Smith who loves his leg-side, MS Dhoni’s obsession with the leg slip & short leg might just come in handy – with Shami targetting Smith’s strong zone and Dhoni cutting off the runs.

World Cup so far – Innings: 6, Wickets: 17, Average: 13.29, Best: 4/35, Econ: 4.43, Catches: 5

#3 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja gestures after dismissing Jason Holder of West Indies

While there is no doubt that Ravichandran Ashwin’s ten overs will be critical to India’s chances, one man’s exploits with the ball might just might swing the game either way. The Australian batting line-up boasts of stars like Steven Smith and Glen Maxwell, both of whom can destroy an bowling attack on any given day.

However, the emerging trend in both these key players, alongside some others like Shane Watson, is how much they favour the leg slide in playing the big shots. Maxwell for one, loves his slog-sweeps over deep mid-wicket. So how these players tackle Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm orthodox spin, spinning away from the right hander, will make for interesting viewing.

Jadeja might not have had the best bowling outing in the last seven games. But his stump to stump bowling in his usual flat trajectory, and deliveries that move away from the right hander, can wreck havoc in the Australian batting line-up.

World Cup so far – Innings: 7, Wickets: 9, Average: 33.44, Best: 2/23, Econ: 5.31, Catches: 1

#2 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has had an odd kind of a World Cup, despite starting on the right note against Pakistan with a century in India’s opening game. Post that knock of 107, Kohli hasn’t crossed fifty even once. The good news though is the fact that Kohli relishes a fight and would love to save his best for a strong side like Australia.

All throughout the Australian summer, Kohli is the only player who the Aussie bowlers couldn’t get the better of. Since the Australian pace battery of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood and James Faulkner are going to use the fastness of the surface on offer at Sydney (the wicket will most likely be a new one), an Indian batsmen who has a great control over his pull-shot is a huge plus.

Add to this the fact that Kohli is a master of run chases, the Delhi boy has to bring his A-game to the fore.

World Cup so far – Innings: 7, Runs: 304, Average: 60.80, HS: 107, 50/100: 0/1, Catches: 4

#1 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni congratulated by rest of India team

The captain of the Indian team is by far the most essential cog in this team’s setup. His experience of playing crunch games will be most needed now, because one can’t forget that only three players barring Dhoni know what the pressure of playing a World Cup semi-final is like.

Till now, Dhoni has done all the right things – he has attacked with his pace bowlers, given his spinners ample opportunities to take wickets, backed all his players and done splendidly behind the stumps. This campaign has been a tribute to his mastery of the modern game and come 26th, he will be faced with a team that has given India a tough time over the past three months.

Apart from his captaincy, where Dhoni’s role becomes crucial is his batting lower down the order. If while chasing, India need a calm, calculating head in the middle – there’s no one better than Dhoni to ask for.

He has played in Australia enough to know the conditions well, he has faced and won against some of the best in the world. Now is the time to unleash every weapon in his armory.

World Cup so far – Innings: 5, Runs: 172, Average: 57.33, HS: 85*, 50/100: 1/0, Catches: 15