🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: S8 - Match 51: India vs Australia, St Lucia 🏏

🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: S8 - Match 51: India vs Australia,  St.-Lucia 🏏 

While Australia made the crazy scramble to get to St Lucia on the eve of their final Super 8s match, the Indians were taking a day off. 

This episode of Australia-India was always going to be spicy, because, well, it's Australia-India, and because November 19 and all that. But now, after the events of June 22, there's even more riding on it. Group 1 of the Super Eight in T20 World Cup 2024 is now thrillingly open.

This isn't a must-win game for either team, but Australia will be on wafer-thin ice if they lose. And while India's net run rate gives them a decent safety net, there is still a chance they could lose out on a semi-finals slot.

It's Australia-India, then, and the stakes are as high as they could possibly be. What more could a cricket fan ask for? Well, there's one thing: the weather forecast in St Lucia isn't hugely encouraging.

They had of course got here a day earlier after having more or less guaranteed their qualification for the next round with their win over Bangladesh in Antigua. 

Not to forget energised by the fact that they could potentially knock out the team that broke a billion hearts and their own only six months ago in the final of the 50-over World Cup. 

As historic an achievement as it was for Afghanistan, their first-ever win against Australia across formats in St Vincent has thrown their group wide open with none of the teams having officially qualified for the knockouts, While Rashid Khan & Co ended up giving themselves the best chance to do so, the loss for Australia has derailed what seemed to be a rather perfect campaign till that point on. 

It's also given the Indian team, who with their superior net run rate are closest to a semi-final than the others in the mix, the opportunity to more or less knock out the Aussies if they overcome them at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground today.

Logo and Tag credit: Wildest Dreams

A washout would suit India just fine, sealing their semi-finals spot, but for Australia the difference between two points and one could be humongous. They are well aware of this, having been haunted by this difference in a global tournament not that long ago.

Form guide

Australia LWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)

What to expect: St Lucia has continued to remain the most humid of all islands throughout while being the best place to bat in during this World Cup. In a tournament, where the vagaries in conditions have had quite a say, the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground has been one where most teams have thrived, and it serves as probably the best venue to host this highly-billed battle, especially now with the stakes so high.

There was a heavy shower overnight in the island but it is expected to clear out even if it is set to be a rather windy morning.

Team Watch:

Australia:

As much as Ashton Agar's selection predicated, the decision to leave Mitchell Starc out has caused a lot of discussion back in Australia, especially considering he'd seemed in fine form and only taken over from Lasith Malinga as the fast bowler with the most World Cup (50 over and T20 combined) wickets in his previous game. Expect a direct swap with Starc coming back for this big game.

Probable XI: Travis Head, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

India:

India have more or less settled in on what was touted to be their best XI before the tournament began once they moved to the Caribbean from the USA. And the presence of Kuldeep Yadav in conditions where the batters will try going after everything will be key after the left-arm wrist spinner had to wait his turn to get into the World Cup. 

You'd expect them to go in with the same XI that played against Bangladesh, especially given the lack of assistance from the pitch for fast bowlers.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

A third straight win for India will not only make them the group toppers and send them to the semifinals, it will also substantially threaten Australia’s chances of progressing through to the semi-finals following the unexpected loss to Afghanistan 

ndia: The biggest positive for India in this tournament has been the all-round effort of Hardik Pandya, who has now come to the party with the bat to complement his incisive spells.

Australia: Having logged only 88 runs in six games at a strike rate of 111, captain Mitchell Marsh needs to lead from the front against India.

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

🏏ICC T20I WC 2024: S8 - Match 51: India vs Australia,  St.-Lucia 🏏 

While Australia made the crazy scramble to get to St Lucia on the eve of their final Super 8s match, the Indians were taking a day off. 

This episode of Australia-India was always going to be spicy, because, well, it's Australia-India, and because November 19 and all that. But now, after the events of June 22, there's even more riding on it. Group 1 of the Super Eight in T20 World Cup 2024 is now thrillingly open.

This isn't a must-win game for either team, but Australia will be on wafer-thin ice if they lose. And while India's net run rate gives them a decent safety net, there is still a chance they could lose out on a semi-finals slot.

It's Australia-India, then, and the stakes are as high as they could possibly be. What more could a cricket fan ask for? Well, there's one thing: the weather forecast in St Lucia isn't hugely encouraging.

They had of course got here a day earlier after having more or less guaranteed their qualification for the next round with their win over Bangladesh in Antigua. 

Not to forget energised by the fact that they could potentially knock out the team that broke a billion hearts and their own only six months ago in the final of the 50-over World Cup. 

As historic an achievement as it was for Afghanistan, their first-ever win against Australia across formats in St Vincent has thrown their group wide open with none of the teams having officially qualified for the knockouts, While Rashid Khan & Co ended up giving themselves the best chance to do so, the loss for Australia has derailed what seemed to be a rather perfect campaign till that point on. 

It's also given the Indian team, who with their superior net run rate are closest to a semi-final than the others in the mix, the opportunity to more or less knock out the Aussies if they overcome them at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground today.

Logo and Tag credit: Wildest Dreams

Thanks di 😍

Set to be played in St Lucia, this will be both team's final match of the Super 8 stage.

India already have a foot in the semi-finals, having won two matches. Australia on the other hand have lost against Afghanistan and are just one game away from getting knocked out of the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup. Australia's chances of qualification depend on them beating India, or on the hopes that Bangladesh will beat Afghanistan to clear their path to the semi-finals.

Probable Best Batter: Marcus Stoinis

Australia’s Marcus Stoinis could be the best batter in the upcoming game against India. The ace all-rounder has been in impeccable form with both the bat and the ball, and taking his wicket could become priority number one for the Men in Blue. A lot will depend upon Stoinis’ performance.

Probable Best Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah

India’s ace up their sleeve, Jasprit Bumrah, could be the best bowler in the upcoming game against Australia. Bumrah has been exceptional for India throughout the competition, and his spell against Australia could be crucial.

Thanks for the tag Madhu 

Aaj main sare Australian players ko panoti lagaungi 

Today's Match Prediction: Team batting first to win the match

Australia vs India

Scenario 1

Australia win the toss and opt to bat first

Powerplay Score: 40-50

AUS: 160-170 

Australia win the match

Scenario 2

India win the toss and opt to bat first.

Powerplay Score: 50-60

India: 160-170

India win the match

Also Check: IND vs AUS Dream11 Prediction

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.