Australia take on India with one eye on trophy
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MOHALI: Australia will look to dump hosts India out of the World T20 on Sunday in a do-or-die clash between cricket's two biggest teams.
A narrow win by India over Bangladesh, followed by Australia's 21-run triumph against Pakistan, has effectively reduced Sunday's group encounter into a knockout, with the winner making it to the semi-finals.
“We've got a massive game coming up against India, whoever wins that goes through,” said Australian paceman James Faulkner after Friday's win against Pakistan.
“It was on our shoulders to turn the ship around and start winning. We have won two in a row, now we need to win another three to win the World Cup,” said the bowler, who picked a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, the first Australian to do so in T20 cricket.
Australia are the reigning 50-over world champions and the number one Test side, but have failed to win the World T20 in five previous attempts.
If they do manage to win the trophy this time around, it would be a fitting tribute to all-rounder Shane Watson, who is set to quit international cricket at the end of the tournament.
Watson was part of Australia's World Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2015 and also starred during the team's winning campaigns in the Champions Trophy finals of 2006 and 2009.
The Aussies have won two games in this T20 edition while going down to New Zealand, who have already qualified for the semis with three wins from as many matches.
India were also handed a thrashing by the Black Caps, who are sitting on top of Group 2 and clearly one of the better-looking sides in the tournament.
The home side bounced back to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan before pulling off a nerve-wracking one-run win against Bangladesh.
But despite the wins, India have not looked really convincing, a fact not lost on off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ashwin, who has been one of the standout bowlers for India, said the team would need to up their game if they are to entertain any hopes of winning the title for a second time.
India won the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007.
“We have not really batted the way where we would be really pleased with our performance,” said Ashwin.
“We are a very, very good batting unit. Once we fire on all cylinders we will be great contenders for the title. As of now, with the way things stand, I don't think we are contenders.”
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Comments (63) Closed
Mar 26, 2016 11:49am
India vs Australia...clashes of titans..both sides have encountered 12 matches between them out of which India have won 8 matches..Also most vital part is that virat kohli averages 55 against Australia in t20 with healthy strike rate of 145..I think if India can hold their catches and just back their batting instincts they are bound to play west indies in Mumbai semi finals
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Mar 26, 2016 11:53am
Both (India, Australia) teams loose their match against New Zealand and won against Bangladesh, Pakistan. But remember this, 3 department of cricket: Batting, Bowling and Fielding. Calculate yourself, Who is the best? India or Australia.
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Mar 26, 2016 12:04pm
I am Big Fan of Indian Batting, but i do not think India can beat Australia. Aus will make 230 if Bat first.
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Mar 26, 2016 12:06pm
Lets see the recent results. Australia lost to India in Australia 3-0. Australia barely defeated Pakistan, one of the weakest teams of the tournament. Look at the bookies they are giving 75% chances of India's win. So India after defeating Australia, will go on to play West Indies in the semi-final.
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Mar 26, 2016 12:46pm
our famed batting line has been disappointment and that's the reason why we are in this position now. I hope batting clicks at the right time and bowlers continue to perform well...
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Mar 26, 2016 12:47pm
We will be supporting Aussies against India.
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Mar 26, 2016 12:48pm
India has no chance and it will be fun to watch them lose.
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Mar 26, 2016 12:50pm
Heart Says India.... But mind says Australia
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Mar 26, 2016 12:59pm
India is no.1 and Australia is no.2 in T20 so it will a close fight. Whoever wins the match will have good chances to win the final.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:03pm
on this forum some big mouthed individuals always try to vent anger of their teams performance and then dream that India should loose..On any given day one is winner and other looser in any sports..let's hope sense prevail and better team wins..
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Mar 26, 2016 01:15pm
For me,India winning against Pakistan is like winning World Cup.thanks team India,and all the best.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:23pm
If India wins the world cup than its there home ground and if they loses they don't deserve so the haters gonna hate.India will march forward.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:31pm
I wholeheartedly support India and will watch the match till the last ball irrespective of the results. But realistically speaking the odds are tilted probably 60:40 in Australia's favor.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:33pm
Who knows if all the main batsman of India firing in that match. No one fired except Virat kohli from first match onward. Hope Virat & Dhoni play well, No expectation and hope from remaining batsman.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:46pm
India will lose to Australia.Yuvraj,Shikhar and Bumrah are in team only to ensure defeat.
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Mar 26, 2016 01:56pm
@kashmiri supports Pakistan, they are out, supports Pakistan they will be out too.
People from K never get their things right, sad cases aha
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Mar 26, 2016 02:16pm
@Zak we already won the world cup by beating pakistan no matter win or loose against australia. Mauka haha
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Mar 26, 2016 03:17pm
@Zak : Agree with you. India will loose. But your predictions are never correct.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:21pm
India has not played even 25% to its batting potential, if Indian batting comes even closer to 60% tommor then Australia will be thrashed out of the competition.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:23pm
Rooting for India. The cup should remain in South Asia
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Mar 26, 2016 03:30pm
Indian team can't win against Aus with the average batting performance, they have to show their full batting to win rest of the matches. Yuvraj and Kohali have been saviours so far.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:47pm
I think team India do not deserve the semi spot as their defense for title is not worthy. Australia is much more deserving although it is NZ or WI which seems better sides to clinch the title.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:47pm
Will be a tough match. I hope India to win.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:49pm
After the debacle against NZ, India woke up and thrashed Pak. After another near debacle against BD, I'm sure India will again thrash the next opponent Aus.
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Mar 26, 2016 03:52pm
Definitely India will win. No doubt about it. Not only this one, our team will be one of the finalists. The only thing is to that who will make it through to clash with India in final.
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Mar 26, 2016 04:03pm
it will be a tough match , mohali is a big ground like australian ones ,and indian batting is not firing as expected, they shud do well if india has to win it ........
shane watson will be the key,
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Mar 26, 2016 04:37pm
India will win. We will win handsomely.
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Mar 26, 2016 04:48pm
@Zulfiqar :Seriously... Do you know there is something called as law of averages... What is the basis of your statement that Australia will make 230, and even if they reach a total > 200, India has defeated them on their home ground... I am sure India will win this match
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Mar 26, 2016 05:04pm
Indians have been subjected to crappy pitches so far -- Nagpur, Kolkata and Bangalore! But, Mohali is batmen's paradise... and, you will see a different game! However, looking back -- Rehane for Dhawan and Manish Pandey (who hit a century in Australia) for Raina would have been a lot more assuring!
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Mar 26, 2016 05:12pm
Best of luck to both teams,hope the team which plays well will win,my best wishes for Indian cricket team.Goodluck
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Mar 26, 2016 05:28pm
Please dont count 3-0 Win of India that is Australia 2nd string team
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Mar 26, 2016 05:39pm
@Zak India has no chance and it will be fun to watch them lose.
I like ur comments bec everytime u say india will lose, we win
pls keep it up
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Mar 26, 2016 05:40pm
The only one australian player i fear is Steve smith and even finch and their other bowllers like zampa are quite good and also Their feilding is very well organized...Im impressed by their performance against Pakistan on 25th and at this moment both India and Australia are gonna try to keep themselves from coming any near to losing this match...Its gonna be a very intresting match for sure and I would wish India all the best and may the best team win.
Certainly it would be a debacle for either of team whoever loses.
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Mar 26, 2016 05:42pm
India will rely heavily on spin to make oz crumble. I think Amit mishra the leg spinner should make in place of pandya.
There is big diff in spin standard of india as compared to pakistan. Pakistan spinners are zero in front of indian spinners.
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Mar 26, 2016 05:43pm
Good luck Australia, we are with you.
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Mar 26, 2016 05:44pm
@Deepak Kataria Australia by far. They are men of steel.
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Mar 26, 2016 05:49pm
@Rustom E Hind I cannot say it will be fun to see them lose,because we do not gloat on others misery, and its a a game. But we have our preferences, which is - Australia.
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Mar 26, 2016 06:10pm
@Capt Sharma - What Pakistan spinners got to do with India v Australia match???
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Mar 26, 2016 06:25pm
27th March, sure sad day for India.
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Mar 26, 2016 06:29pm
India's weakness is its over hyped batting strength. Rohit is good on flat pitches but surrenders if the ball seams or spins. Dhawan scores once in a few games. Kohli is the best but he cannot win all matches himself. Raina & Yuvi are both past their prime. The selectors have forced Rahane on this side but Rahane is good only as an opener as he cannot score quickly if the field restrictions are not around. The selectors could have given Dhoni an option with Manish Pandey or Shreyas Iyer or Sarfaz Khan or Yusuf Pathan but chose wrongly. The bowling is not as bad as many like to portray. Ashwin is the best at the moment while Nehra, Bumrah & Jadeja are acceptable. Pandya is good for a couple of overs with Raina & Yuvi filling in the rest. Australian advantage is that the umpires always give close calls in their favour & match refrees allow their players to get away with all kinds of offences.
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Mar 26, 2016 06:59pm
Dhoni's performance is outstanding even though i don't like his aggression of sticking the same players in every matches after failing again & again. We are unlike other teams where they don't have much choices but we have many. Our bowling unit is performing more than one's expected but batsman are crap. We cannot take the names who is not in the squad but we can take names of players atleast like rahane. Both opening batsman are fail again & again along with middle order as well. Why cool captain why are you doing like this??????
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Mar 26, 2016 09:22pm
@Santram
what big pride in winning against out of form team ......
to me winning against nz, aus,eng , sa and windies (t20's) is the real deal
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Mar 26, 2016 09:25pm
@Zulfiqar
India has the best spinner.............
no chance of 230 but 170 - 180 in a pressure game will be the winning score...
wud rate india's bowling unit bettwer in these conditions and aussies hv more bastman in form
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Mar 26, 2016 09:46pm
@Zak ,,----yes ZAK thanks for speaking up, your comments always lucky for indians.
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Mar 26, 2016 09:58pm
@nomadic -- we are going therev too, just watch
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Mar 26, 2016 10:40pm
@Harmony - If they had been effective, Australia would not have made 193 in the match at Mohali.
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Mar 26, 2016 10:53pm
@Rashid will see dude.
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Mar 26, 2016 10:57pm
@Zak ... same feeling for pakistan when they lost from aus .. And bangladesh in asia cup lost ..!!
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Mar 26, 2016 11:21pm
@Zak like it was fun to watch Pakistan lose repeatedly.
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Mar 27, 2016 12:21am
Blast any bowler two sixes in an early over, he becomes out of rhythm lame duck and that is the recipe to win, against any side.
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Mar 27, 2016 12:42am
@Zak Right ! And btw did Pakistan qualify for the WC T20 super 10s ? Why don't I remember them playing here ??
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Mar 27, 2016 01:24am
Good luck for Australia !
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Mar 27, 2016 04:03am
@Zak You will enjoy more when Pakistan plays qualifiers next World Cup
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Mar 27, 2016 07:44am
Go Aus Go....We support you...NO way for India
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Mar 27, 2016 08:06am
India is going to dump Australia. Mark my word. India will win.
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Mar 27, 2016 10:12am
Australia take on India with one eye on trophy... then they cannot win against India with one eye in the match!.........Today India win
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Mar 27, 2016 10:18am
@Zak wait and see. Same thing you said when ind v pak.
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Mar 27, 2016 10:38am
So far since 2007, at least one Asian team have always reached the semis.... I think the trend will continue..... The key for India in this match is Hitman Rohit Sharma..... If he gets going India can even chase down 200+ or set a target of 200+.... Key for this match will be him, Dhawan and Raina.... Keep watching
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Mar 27, 2016 11:01am
All aus star studded Punjab king failed miserably in mohali in ipl. Let's see what is next. I think ipl has to hire bd and pak players because the rest world is too expensive and not doing really good. Let's see what will be result tomorrow just remember aus not only playing for the cup they are also playing for their monopoly in ipl.
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Mar 27, 2016 11:57am
Which team will win today will win A word cup.
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Mar 27, 2016 01:23pm
Enjoy the Sunday! Epic clash!!
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Mar 27, 2016 10:26pm
India won the match
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Mar 27, 2016 11:19pm
@Nooru52 India won against Australia in World T20. I wish your prediction is correct and India wins in the final match too.
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