India secured a spot in the World T20 semi-finals on Sunday, eliminating Australia in a 73-run victory.
Australia, coming off successive losses to the West Indies and Pakistan, went into Sunday’s match already ousted from the World T20 after Pakistan defeated host nation Bangladesh earlier in the day.
Chasing India’s total of 159-7, the Aussies batted with little pride and managed a miserable 86 as Ravichandran Ashwin tore through the batting attack.
George Bailey’s side actually got off to a solid start when Brad Hodge dismissed Rohit Sharma in the opening over, but the combination of Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli provided a 40-run partnership to restore India’s chances.
Young spinner James Muirhead played vice-captain Kohli into a shot that sailed straight to Cameron White at long-off before Glenn Maxwell claimed Suresh Raina to drop India to 69-4. On the brink, Yuvraj Singh put together a 60-run innings to help India see out their 20 overs with a defendable total.
Led by four wickets from Ashwin (3.2 overs, 11 runs), India went on the attack, easily running through a slog-happy Aussie outfit.
Aaron Finch and White fell within an over of one another in the early goings and replacement Shane Watson lasted just four deliveries at No.3.
Australia’s top batter of the summer, David Warner, was caught out (19) attempting to play a slog sweep before top scorer Maxwell was bowled by Ashwin for 23 trying a reverse sweep.
It only got worse from there as Australia’s final five fell for just 31 more runs.
“To a certain degree, we planned to pack our team with batters,” Bailey said after the match.
“We lacked game sense and match awareness in all three innings. None of the batsmen anchored the innings. The pitch did not grip too much. No more than we were prepared for. T20 is not about hit and a giggle.
“Hopefully, we put a decent show against the hosts and it is something to remember,” Bailey said of Australia’s final hit-out against Bangladesh.
India finished top of Group 2 and will face South Africa in the first semi-final.
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