IND vs AUS

Key features –

1. Shikhar Dhawan scored a 117(109), Virat Kohli scored a 82(77) and Rohit Sharma scored a 57(70). The Indian top order back in proper action against a great bowling attack!

2. Steve Smith scored a 69(70) and David Warner scored a slow but a valuable 56(84). So, both are back into form after all controversies in the last couple of years and playing consistently well!

3. Yuzvendra Chahal the lone spinner to take a wicket on this pitch even though 5 different spinners bowled in the game.

4. Alex Carey had an excellent knock with the bat and scored a fighting 55(35), showing the depth in the Australian batting attack as well as keeping the tag of “fighters”.

Post-Match Analysis –

1. India register another comfortable victory and will take on New Zealand next, who is also undefeated in this Tournament as of now.

2. India broke the record of the highest runs scored against Australia in a World Cup match and recorded a score of 352/5.

3. The Indian Top-Order has finally found form and the middle order has found stability with Rahul, Dhoni and Pandya all in great form since the IPL.

4. Australia will come back strong in their next match which is against Pakistan.

5. Winning the toss was crucial for Virat as it was a batting-friendly wicket in the first innings as stated by both captains during the toss.

6. India was the dominant side throughout the 100 overs and never let the game slip away from them.

7. India is now positioned 2nd on the points table with 2 wins in 2 matches. And, Australia is positioned 4th with 2 wins in 3 matches.

Up Next –

South Africa vs West Indies.

On one hand, we have the Proteas who have played 3 matches and haven’t won a single game. On the other, we have the Windies who have come to this World Cup with a motive and their bowling attack is as terrifying as they had during the 1975 and 1979 World Cups.

Even though South Africa is ranked 3rd in the ICC ODI Rankings and West Indies is ranked 8th, the current World Cup standings and performances make Windies the favourites for tomorrow’s encounter, even though it would be an equal contest if the South African batsmen play the Windies’ bowlers well.

Lungi Ngidi’s injury and Dale Steyn being ruled out due to the same is a huge loss for the team and they now have to rely more on All Rounders like Morris, Pretorius, Phehlukwayo and Duminy to do well with both the bat and the ball. On the other hand, the inclusion of a Left Arm seamer, Beuran Hendricks might be a twist in the fate of South Africa in this World Cup.

Windies probably has one of the most terrifying bowling attacks with the likes of Roach and Gabriel on the bench and Russell, Holder, Cottrell and Thomas in the Playing XI, who all bowl at a speed of 140+.

Key Battles –

Rabada, Tahir and Morris vs Gayle, Hope, Lewis and Pooran

Cottrell, Thomas, Holder and Russell vs De Kock, Amla, Faf and Van Der Dussen.