T20 World Cup 2024, IND vs AUS: India to face Australia on June 24 in a Super Eights clash. Key match ups to look forward to in the modern-day big rivalry.
India vs Australia clashes have been one of the most sought-after events in cricket. These two sides are modern day powerhouses of the game. Their clashes are highly anticipated, given the fact that they are invariably evenly matched and the recent results should support the case.
But when it comes to ICC tournaments, Australia tend to be a completely different side, not easy to beat. India have first-hand experience of the same, having lost two back-to-back ICC finals against them in the last 12 months.
India will take on Australia in the Super Eight game at the Darren Sammy Stadium on June 24, roughly seven months after their loss against the Aussies in the ICC World Cup final.
With talents at the disposal from both ends, this augurs to be an interesting and mouth-watering clash. Like in every contest, there are matchups within the match that makes it a compelling watch.
So, here are the key match ups to look forward to in the IND vs AUS, Super Eight fixture:
Jasprit Bumrah vs Australia openers
Jasprit Bumrah proved to be India’s match-winner in the Group stages with back-to-back ‘Man of the Match’ performances against Ireland & Pakistan. In India's game against Pakistan, his second spell turned things around in their favour.
Coming into the Super Eights, Bumrah is expected to deliver yet again, especially against Australia. In the World Cup final held last year, Burmah troubled opener Travis Head in his first spell but without much luck. The left-hander proved to be a throng for India as his ton sealed the final for Australia.
India would dearly want to see the back of the Australia’s opening pair, David Warner and Head, sooner rather than later. Therefore, Bumrah’s spell will be crucial. He is yet to take the wicket of Head in T20 cricket, having bowled 21 balls conceding 30 runs against the left-hander. However, Bumrah has accounted for Warner twice in T20Is while conceding a mere two runs.
So, this mini battle might set the initial momentum for either team in the game.
Star studded affair at the top
Things can’t get better in cricket than witnessing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma taking on a charged-up Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood in their initial spell. They have a lot of history facing one another given the frequency with which the teams play international cricket and of course the IPL is always there.
Here on the biggest stage of T20 cricket, these four leading cricketers of the world will be up against one another. While India’s opening duo will look to counter the new ball threat, Starc and Hazlewood would like to see their backs in the first few overs. So, either side will hope for a dream start from their designated opening pair.
While Kohli hasn’t had the best of World Cups till now, he has a great record against both Starc and Hazlewood. Facing the left-hander, Kohli has smashed 87 runs from 47 balls, and 54 from 38 while negotiating the latter in T20 cricket. Against both these bowlers, the star batter is yet to be dismissed. India’s skipper, on the other hand, fell once each to both Hazlewood (34 off 27), and Starc (24 from 16) in T20s.
Battle of all-rounders
While this essentially doesn’t mean the all-rounders will be up against each other, their individual performances will go a long way towards their team’s success in the game. The players in question are Marcus Stoinis and Hardik Pandya from Australia and India, respectively. Both these players have been pivotal in their sides’ success in the league stages.
We can easily say that Stoinis has been Australia’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) thus far having made 156 runs at an incredible strike rate of 190.24 alongside taking six wickets in four games. Likewise, Pandya is India’s joint highest wicket-taker in the competition with seven scalps but is yet to make an impression with the bat. Hence, India and Australia would really like these players to bring their ‘A Game’ on the day.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2024: Three important questions staring at India ahead of Super Eight stage
Can Kuldeep Yadav rattle Australia’s strong middle-order?
India’s chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav has made his first appearance for India in T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan. And, there is a huge chance that the leggie will be included as well in the playing XI against Australia for the West Indies leg of the tournament with the pitches likely to assist the spinners.
If he plays, Kuldeep will be up against a strong Australia middle-order consisting of Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell. He has a decent record while bowling to Stoinis (one wicket at 28 runs going at 140), but when it comes to Maxwell, it is a mixed bag. The all-rounder has a strike rate of 175.5 against Kuldeep in all of T20s but has gotten out four times while scoring 79 runs.
Will Zampa come good once again?
If it is Starc in the fast-bowling department, then Adam Zampa is the main go to bowler for Australia in the spin bowling department. He is a perennial match-winner in ICC tournaments and has been in top form in this world cup with nine wickets.
He will be the main weapon for Australia against India batters in the middle-overs and has to face big-hitters like Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. While he has gone for two runs per ball against Surya (54 off 27), Zampa has struggled while bowling to Pandya. He has conceded 76 in 42 balls while dismissing him twice.
The Caribbean tracks will offer something to the spinners, so it should be an even contest when Zampa bowls to India’s middle-order trio.