In the crucial match of the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India qualified for the semi-finals by defeating Australia.
Chasing India’s target of 206 runs, the Australian team managed to score 181 runs and faced defeat by 24 runs. After this loss, the Kangaroos’ journey to reach the semi-finals became very difficult.
The Australian team now has to wait for the defeat of the Afghan team in the Group 1 match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
In the match played in Saint Lucia, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and invited India to bat first.
No changes were made to India’s team while Australia brought back their veteran bowler Mitchell Starc.
India’s innings
India didn’t start off in great shape against Australia, veteran batsman Virat Kohli was excused for a wicket.
He played a smoky innings of 92 runs off 41 balls which included 8 sixes and 7 fours.
Aside from this, Rishabh Gasp 15, Surya Kumar Yadav 31 and Shiv Dubey got out by scoring 28 runs while Hardik Pandya scored 27 runs and Jadeja stayed not out
India scored 205 runs for the deficiency of 5 wickets in the assigned 20 overs.
For Australia, Marcus Stoins and Mitchell Starc took 2 wickets each.
Australia’s innings
In pursuit of India’s target of 206 runs, the Kangaroos did not get off to a good start, with David Warner getting out for 6 runs.
After the fall of one wicket, Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh played a brilliant innings and gave Australia hope of victory, but then Marsh returned to the pavilion after scoring 37 runs.
Apart from this, Glenn Maxwell left the team after scoring 20 runs, while Travis Head continued the aggressive innings and completed a half-century but then he too was dismissed after scoring 76 runs.
Marcus Stoins scored 2, Tim David 15 and Matthew Wade scored 1 run.
Thus, the Australian team could score 181 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in pursuit of the target. With this win, the Indian team, who remained unbeaten in the event, reached the semi-finals from Group 1.