Cric Wc: Sf2: Ind Vs Aus... Aus 206/2... 35 Ovs..

[mtkr]

[mtkr]

 

 

 

 

 

                    INDIA

 

 

                                     bl@st                                     bl@st                               bl@st

 

[mtkr]

Pitch and weather

Already used for the quarter-final between South Africa and Sri Lanka and at the end of a long season, the surface for the match will be more to India's liking than Australia's.

 

Heavy rolling of a strip that sports very little live grass is geared at making it as hard and bouncy as possible, but it is unlikely to offer the sort of steep bounce and lateral movement Australia's pacemen are seeking.

 

The possibility of spin is more intriguing, as of all spinners only the legbreaks of Imran Tahir have deviated significantly all tournament.

 

The weather forecast is fine.

[mtkr]

Stats and trivia

 

 

Last time these teams met in a World Cup game was the quarter-final in 2011, which India won comfortably in Ahmedabad
 

In that game, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin opened for Australia; here they are likely to come in at Nos. 6 and 8 respectively
 

Their only previous World Cup meeting in Australia came in Brisbane in 1992, when Australia squeaked home by one run in a rain-affected game

 

[mtkr]

Quotes

 

"Expectation is there because we're the No. 1 ranked one-day team in the world. The reason you have expectation is because you've performed. There's been a lot of talk about pressure and expectation, but that's what comes with ... playing sport at the highest level.
Australia's Michael Clarke

 

"We'll be playing some different cricket now, so what happened we never want to carry into the World Cup. We always spoke about this."
Rohit Sharma says India's failures earlier in the tour will not matter on Thursday

 

[mtkr]

key battles

 

MS Dhoni vs Michael Clarke

 

 

 

The captains of both India and Australia are regarded as the lynchpin of their respective teams. Both of them like to lead by example and their plans and strategies are going to play a huge role in the semi-final on Thursday.

 

For Dhoni, his on-field calmness defines his class. After becoming the first India captain to have led the team to 100 ODI wins, Dhoni would want his boys to go for a kill to enter the second consecutive World Cup final. Dhoni and his men received widespread criticism before the tournament started for their flop show in Australia.

 

From criticism to favourites, the way Dhoni has changed the tables is exemplary. It won't come as a surprise if mastermind Dhoni takes the team to the final.

 

On the other hand, Michael Clarke and his on-field aggression and witty plans have worked well for the team. Despite a back injury, sustained during the Test series against India and losing his friend Phillip Hughes in a tragic incident, Clarke has led the team without emotions and made sure his team emerges victorious. His ultra-aggressive captaincy may add the fifth silverware in the Aussie's cabinet.

[mtkr]

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson

 

 

 

 

After a century against Pakistan in India's opening match of the World Cup, Kohli's willow hasn't produced much runs. But being categorised as "Big Occasion Player", Kohli's love for the Australian attack will be tested in the semi-final clash.

 

"There couldn't be a better time for us (to beat Australia). On the other hand, Australia spearhead Mitchell Johnson must have a number of plans, including sledging, to intimidate Indian batsmen especially Kohli, who has always troubled Aussies.

 

Shikhar Dhawan vs Mitchell Starc: With two centuries and a half-century so far in the tournament, Shikhar Dhawan will be India's go to man. Once he is set, it is really tough to get rid of him. He is a long innings player who knows how to convert a fifty into a century.

 

Mitchell Starc will be the key bowler for Australia against the Indian opener. Starc is the second highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 18 wickets behind the leader Trent Boult of New Zealand who has 21 wickets.

[mtkr]

Shikar Dhawan vs Mitchell Starc

 

 

 

Mitchell Starc has shone in this tournament with his acute bowling angles and in-swinging yorkers in death overs. He would know the key to strike terror in Shikar Dhawan's heart would be to invade the corridor of uncertainty around the off stump. He is aware of the frailty in the left-hander's approach. Though Shikhar has made amends since the early half of the summer, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 18 scalps also knows that it may not be difficult to crack the Dhawan code.

After a disappointing Tri-series, Shikhar Dhawan has hit back hard and is currently India's top run-getter in the tournament with 367 runs from seven innings at 52.42 with two centuries and a fifty.

 

He'll be up against an in-form Mitchell Starc who is Australia's highest wicket-taker and has been brilliant in this tournament. Dhawan has made a few adjustments in his technique but still his frailties outside the off stump can be exposed and this is where Starc will be looking to use his outswingers to good effect.

 

Starc had scalped Dhawan in both the matches in the Tri-series which included a six-for at the MCG, he has 10 wickets at an average of 17.20 against India and this time around, Dhawan would be looking to have an upper hand and make sure he negates the Starc effect.

 

[mtkr]

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

The Sydney Cricket Ground, thousands of ecstatic fans, high-stakes and bragging rights - this contest is tailor-made for two of the most colourful characters of the modern-day game -- Virat Kohli and Mitchell Johnson.

 

By their lofty standards, both have had a modest run in the tournament.

 

Kohli began with a bang, smashing a century against Pakistan but hasn't played long innings since. Dhoni would reckon a big one is due from his champion batsman. With 10 wickets in six games, Johnson has been reduced to second-fiddle to his fiercer bowling partner - Starc. The recent history and his frosty relationship with Kohli, however, are bound to add a few springs to his steps.

 

Will Kohli be made to smell leather? Or will the Indian superstar batsman get to flex his muscles again? A riveting contest is on the cards.

 

[mtkr]

David Warner vs Mohammad Shami

 

 

 

 

 

 

If we exclude his 178-run knock against Afghanistan, David Warner hasn't scored much in the remaining matches. The tournament missed Warner, who is known for his brutal hitting.

 

But one can't undermine the Australian opener's talent which he will be eager to display against India. He may come up with all guns blazing to torment Indian bowling and lay a solid foundation.

 

India will definitely put their spearhead Mohammed Shami into the attack to contain Warner. Shami is the leading wicket-taker for India in the tournament with 17 wickets. He has the ability to trouble batsmen and can force them to play a loose shot.

 

David Warner vs Mohammad Shami is going to be a riveting battle.

 

A flamboyant batsman up against a transformed bowler. Warner hasn't had the best of times in this tournament so far, apart from the 178 against Afghanistan, his scores read - 22, 34, 9, 21* and 24. His form is a bit of a concern for Australia with fellow opener Aaron Finch not clicking too and here's where Shami's role will be crucial.

 

Shami has been India's highest wicket-taker in the World Cup so far with 17 wickets from six matches at 13.29 and strike rate of 18. He's been hitting right lines and using the short ball to good effect. He's not only managed to take regular wickets but also managed to choke the scoring as he's bowled the highest percentage of dot balls - 69%.

 

Warner averages just 31.80 against India with just one fifty and he would be looking to break the jinx and get a big one in a crunch match. Once he gets going, he can be unstoppable. Warner has a special liking for the SCG as he averages 54.75 at this venue.

 

Australia's newbie paceman Josh Hazlewood has asked for some grass on the Sydney wicket. Sure enough they have the arsenal to intimidate the Men in Blue, but India's bowling in this tournament has been top class. Leading from the front has been Mohammed Shami with 17 wickets at an average of 13.29. And he will look to eliminate David Warner early. Except for one century against minnows Afghanistan, the opener hasn't converted decent starts into big scores. However stats tell Shami has never managed to get the better of this doughty Aussie opener either

 

 

[mtkr]

Glenn Maxwell vs R Ashwin

 

 

 

 

Glenn Maxwell is the leading run-scorer for Australia in the tournament with 301 run at an average of 75.25. The right-hander may be dominating against the pacer but also seen struggling against the spinners.

 

The way offspinner R Ashwin is bowling, Dhoni wouldn't mind bringing Ashwin to tighten a noose around the marauding batsman.

 

[mtkr]

Shane Watson vs Umesh Yadav

 

Brimming with confidence after a magnificent match-winning 64 against Pakistan, Shane Watson has finally come to the party.

 

His willow was silent ever since the World Cup started. His scores of 0, 23, 67, and 24 had put a question on veteran's selection but the warhorse of 185 ODIs was given another chance and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands taking his team to victory against Pakistan.

 

With 14 wickets in 7 matches, Umesh Yadav is the second-highest wicket taker for India in the tournament after Shami (17 wickets). Umesh played a stellar role in India's victory in their quarter-final match against Bangladesh. He claimed 4 for 31.

 

He has the pace to trouble even the best batsman and will relish the Australian challenge.

 

 

[mtkr]

Michael Clarke vs R Ashwin

 

Imran Tahir's exploits in Sydney during the quarter final may have got Ravi Ashwin into strategy mode. NDTV's expert Ian Chappell, arguably one of the best Australian skippers feel that Ravi Ashwin's form on the SCG track will come handy because it always turns a bit. Add to that, the spinner's penchant for the key opposition batsman could set up a mouth-watering contests with Michael Clarke. The Aussie skipper has not yet lit up the tournament with his exquisite strokes and this may be one opportunity to come into his own

 

There's no secret in the fact that Glenn Maxwell has a special liking for Ravichandran Ashwin. It all started during Australia's tour of India in 2013 where Maxwell went after Ashwin and then the battle continued in the Indian Premier League, on and off the field.

 

Maxwell has been in top form in this World Cup with 301 runs scored from five innings at an average of 75.25 and a staggering strike rate of 183.53. He's finally broken the century hoodoo too. Throughout the tournament he's played aggressive cricket and he'll be waiting to pounce on Ashwin as soon as he comes on. Ashwin, on the other hand, have been one of the best spinners in the tournament. He's used his stock ball to good effect and has 12 wickets from seven matches at an average of 24, economy rate of 4.29 and strike rate of 33.5.

 

But against Zimbabwe, we saw that if the opposition batsmen looks to counter-attack, the off-spinner can be taken for runs. Ashwin ended up conceding 75 runs from his 10 overs while taking just one wicket. Maxwell has had an upper hand on Ashwin in ODIs hitting 77 runs from 53 balls at a SR of 145.28 with four fours and seven sixes. He's been dismissed just once by the off-spinner. Ashwin would be looking to turn tables this time around and with spinners playing an important part at the SCG, his contribution will be the key.

 

[mtkr]

Virat Kohli vs Glenn Maxwell

 

Glenn Maxwell has dismissed Virat Kohli only once in his entire career.

 

But the all-rounder wants to target India's best batsman. He says that the Aussies would have their plan worked out for Kohli on Thursday. The key for the hosts would be to keep the Indian Vice Captain quiet.

 

He hasn't had a big one in the last few games and a game against Australia could just bolster Kohli to punch above his weight. The Delhi boy is one for the big show as is the Aussie Big Show

 

[mtkr]

Suresh Raina vs Mitchell Johnson

 

Despite his match winning hundred against Zimbabwe and a half-century during the quarter final vs Bangladesh, Mitchell Johnson will sniff an opportunity to test Suresh Raina with some short pitched stuff. Raina has hopped, jabbed and missed out on earlier occasions, getting dismissed five times in fourteen matches to Johnson. But make no mistake, he will be out in the middle with new-found confidence

 

Suresh Raina is turning out to be a vital cog in India's batting line-up. His ability to up the ante at will and finish off games under pressure has made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in the World Cup. Quite often we have seen him change gears in the Batting Powerplay and take the game away from the opposition. This is where Mitchell Johnson's role will be critical.

 

It's a well known fact that Raina's weakness is the short ball. Johnson's strength has been his disconcerting bouncers. Johnson hasn't looked his best in this tournament but he can take heart from the fact that he's scalped the most number of ODI wickets against India - 41 at an average of 26.12. He has also taken Raina's wicket five times in 14 matches.