Published: Mar 25, 2015, 08:40 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 25, 2015, 09:12 PM (IST)
With less than 24 hours left for the much-awaited ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semi-final between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground, all kinds of dissections are going on in both sides to find out the advantages and disadvantages. Sandipan Banerjee also does his bid and dishes out this analysis.
March 30, 2014, Mirpur was when India last beat Australia in any format of cricket. A one-year drought has followed since. Both sides have played each other in a full series (four Tests and a tri-nation tournament); India came close couple of times, but failed to go past the line. Once again the two cricketing giants meet — this time in the semi-final of a World Cup. The stage cannot be any bigger than this for India to break the jinx. But who will provide the knock out punch for India? Read: India vs Australia: The game that matters
Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will host the clash of the titans. Among all venues in this World Cup, SCG is probably India’s most preferred ground. Though India are yet to play at this venue in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, but MS Dhoni would like to face the mighty Australians at the traditionally spin-friendly SCG. Read: Will the real Ravindra Jadeja please stand up?
The Australia batting line-up consists of big names, all of whom have scored heavily against the same Indian attack recently. Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith (who was in Bradmanesque form against India) know most of the tricks of Indian bowling. Even the in-form trio of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma can be put under pressure on the big stage, where they might crumble. So what can be India’s surprise factor? Read: Five reasons why Australia will beat India
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Let us ponder for a moment here. According to experts like Ian Chappell and Anil Kumble, Ashwin and Jadeja can be India’s trump-cards. India will go into this game with both men along with Suresh Raina (with an over or two of Rohit Sharma thrown in). They may end up bowling 25, or even more overs between them. Read: India vs Australia, Key Battles
The spinners may send down 25-27 overs in quick time (and these men complete their overs fast) and will give Dhoni the opportunity to control the game even if there is an initial outburst from David Warner and Aaron Finch. But will the Smiths, Glenn Maxwells or the Michael Clarkes’ allow them to dictate terms? Probably not.
The Australians will attack the spinners, which will also provide the accurate and in-form Indian spinners the chances of taking wickets in the middle overs. Wickets can stop the run-flow, which will give Dhoni and India some breathing space. The big boundaries in SCG will also help their cause. It will not be easy for the Australian batsmen to hit the Indian spinners straight down the ground. While the straight boundary in SCG is not as humongous as the ones at MCG, Adelaide Oval, and Manuka Oval, it is still one of the largest. So spinners are going to be India’s key factor.
Another factor will be the weather of Sydney. It has been raining in Sydney for past few days, and the forecast for Thursday is mostly cloudy. Indian would have loved a sun-baked flat track to suit their approach, especially their spinners in the second innings. But if the conditions remain wet, the game-plan is bound to change. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
How will India adapt? We will find out.
(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting, and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)
