The Super Eight stage of the ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka got off to a great start with two close games in Group 1. Today teams from Group 2 will be in action and it should be one hell of a competition keeping in mind that this group might have the best of the teams.
In the second match of the day, MS Dhoni’s men will take on George Bailey’s Australia. India-Australia is one of the greatest rivalries in modern day cricket and crowd will be eager to see these two teams fight it out once again in the world stage. Australian team will be looking to avenge the defeat they suffered from Indians in the quarterfinals of the ODI World Cup. Indian team on the other hand will be looking to get their first Super Eight win since the inaugural T20 Cup that they won in South Africa.
Both teams had good outing in the league stage and it will be interesting to know who emerges on top in the battle of equals.
Let’s have a look at some of the key players from both sides.
India:
Virat Kohli: There is hardly any batsmen who has been as consistent as this young lad from Delhi has been for India in the recent past. Australia will be well aware of the threat he possesses, he got his
maiden Test hundred against Australians and followed it up by a scintillating innings in the CB series. He is in prime form and is scoring in every innings. Aussies will know that if they can get Kohli out early than they have a real good chance to stop the Indian charge.
Yuvraj Singh: He has made a dream comeback into the Indian squad and will be itching to play a match winning innings for his team. No one can forget his innings in the semi-finals of the Inaugural T20 World Cup against Australia, even in the ODI World Cup last year it was Yuvraj who led the Indian run-chase against Australia. So the Aussies will know that they will have to get him out of the way as Yuvraj can be lethal in big matches.
Harbhajan Singh: Harbhajan bowled a dream spell on his return against England and he will be itching to have a go at the Australian team. Harbhajan and the Australians have a long history and there have been some epic battles between the aggressive Australians and dynamic Harbhajan.
R Ashwin: Ashwin was rested in the last match, but he will definitely return into the Indian squad for this match. Ashwin has been the best Indian bowler of recent times Dhoni will expect him to deliver the goods once again. Dhoni might ask Ashwin to bowl with the new ball going by the form the Australian openers are in.
Australia:
Shane Watson: Watson is one of the best all-rounders going around and in this tournament he has delivered with both bat and ball. He has been the man-of-the-match in both wins and that explains the influence he has had. Watson is dangerous with the bat on the top and can take the attack to the spinners at any stage of the match.
David Warner: He played a gem of an innings against West Indies in the league match. Warner needs no time to get his eyes in, he sees the ball and he hits them. Warner punished the Indian bowlers earlier in the year and he will be looking to repeat that. Warner was very successful with his switch-hits against Ashwin and it will be interesting to see whether he unleashes the shot once again.
Pat Cummins: Indians have always had trouble against extreme pace and this man can bowl at 90 miles per hour on a consistent basis. Cummings has bowled well in patches in this tournament and his captain will be expecting him to be at his best against the Indians.
Mitchell Starc: He has been very impressive in the recent times, Starc can swing the ball into the right handers at a good pace and has the ability to pick early wickets. He is very good with his bouncers and will surely test the likes of Raina and Sehwag.
By Indian Sports News Network
