India marched into the T20 World Cup semi-finals on Monday after skipper Rohit Sharma’s blistering 92 set up their 24-run victory over Australia, who are now on the brink of elimination.
Rohit hit eight sixes in his quick 41-ball innings, helping India score a big total of 205-5, their highest in the tournament, in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
Travis Head tried to lead Australia’s chase with an aggressive 76, but India kept them to 181-7, staying undefeated in the tournament.
A High-Stakes Clash
The Super Eight clash between two former champion teams had assumed greater importance after Afghanistan stunned Australia on Saturday, throwing Group 1 wide open. Australia, having elected to field, hoped to contain India’s strong batting lineup but faced a formidable challenge from the start.
Early Setback and Rohit’s Response
Josh Hazlewood drew first blood, bouncing out Virat Kohli for a duck. Despite Kohli’s early departure, Rohit Sharma, who had been struggling with form, delivered an explosive performance. He targeted Mitchell Starc, hitting the fast bowler for four sixes in a single over, which yielded 29 runs.
Pat Cummins, who had claimed back-to-back hat-tricks in his last two games, was introduced to stop the onslaught. However, Rohit greeted him with a monstrous six off his first ball, racing to a 19-ball fifty, his first of the tournament. India reached the 100-mark in the ninth over, with Rohit setting the pace.
Building the Total
Starc eventually dismissed Rohit, preventing what could have been the first century of the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav (31) and Shivam Dube (28) added valuable runs with breezy cameos, while Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 27 propelled India past the 200-run mark, finishing at 205-5.
Australia’s Response
Arshdeep Singh got India off to a great start by getting David Warner out in the first over, possibly in Warner’s last game for Australia. Mitchell Marsh (37) joined Travis Head, and together they fought back, putting Australia back on track in their chase.
Axar Patel’s stunning one-handed catch at deep square leg dismissed Marsh, but Head continued his assault, racing to a 24-ball fifty. Kuldeep Yadav castled the dangerous Glenn Maxwell (20), and Jasprit Bumrah’s clever change of pace dismissed Head, effectively sealing India’s victory.
Conclusion
India’s comprehensive performance, led by Rohit Sharma’s explosive batting and a disciplined bowling attack, ensured their place in the semi-finals. Australia’s hopes hang by a thread, dependent on the outcomes of the remaining matches in Group 1. This victory not only highlighted India’s dominance but also set the stage for an exciting finish to the Super Eight phase of the T20 World Cup.
