Match 14 of the World Cup was one of the biggest matches of this World Cup, it was India vs Australia. Australia and India both have been undefeated in this tournament so far. It was Australia’s 3rd match and India’s 2nd match. India defeated Australia by 36 runs. Earlier today, India on the toss and elected to bat first. Let us check the key highlights of the match.
1. India’s Superb Start
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started the innings carefully and took their time to settle at the wicket. Once they have spent time at wicket, both the players shifted their gears and started playing aggressively. Rohit Sharma continued from where he has left in the previous game against South Africa. Today, Shikhar Dhawan played aggressively while Rohit anchored the innings. At the score of 127, India lost the first wicket in the form of Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma made 57 runs. Rohit also completed his 2000 runs against Australia. He has taken 37 innings to complete 2000 runs, fastest player to do so.
Virat Kohli joined Gabbar after Rohit got out. They have continued scoring runs quickly. In the meantime, Shikhar Dhawan has completed his century. Shikhar Dhawan scored 117 in 109 balls. After Shikhar, Hardik Pandya has promoted up the order to score quickly. The decision to promote Pandya proved right, as he scored 48 runs in just 27 balls. MS Dhoni, KL Rahul cameo took India to the mammoth score of 352 for the loss of 5 wickets. Virat Kohli made 82 in 77 balls.
2. Australia Fighting Response
Australia started watchfully. It was the 10th over in which they have broken the shackles as Aaron Finch scored 19 runs in an over of Hardik Pandya. Soon after, Aaron Finch got run out. David Warner and Steven Smith steadied the innings, but the pressure of run-rate was climbing. David Warner and Steven Smith scored half-centuries but the required run rate was over 10. After David Warner got out, Usman Khawaja tried to score quickly but perishes at 39 balls 42. Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith scored quickly, but Bhuvneshwar Kumar double-wicket over dented Australia’s hopes. In the very next over, Yuzvendra Chahal got rid of Glenn Maxwell.
Alex Carey scored 25 balls half-century, but it was not enough. The run-rate was climbing up as the wickets were falling regularly and Australia was short of 36 runs. Australia fought hard, but it was India who won the match by 36 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah took 3 wickets each, and Yuzvendra Chahal took 2 wickets and 2 were run-out.
3. Shikhar Dhawan – Man Of The Match
For his amazing knock of 117 in 109 balls which consists of 16 fours, Shikhar Dhawan became the Man Of The Match. It was his 6th century in ICC tournaments.
India will play their next match against New Zealand, the team who has won 3 matches in a row in this World Cup and are still undefeated. The match is on June 13, at Trentbridge, Nottingham. While Australia will play their next against Pakistan on June 12, at Taunton. Tomorrow we have Proteas South Africa against power hitters West Indies. West Indies lost their last match against Australia, while South Africa is yet to win in this World Cup.
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