The encounter is already dubbed as ‘Mini Final’ before the April 2nd Final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
India is the favourite for coveted trophy where as Australia will play to defend the title. But one thing is guaranteed that the high voltage encounter will break the dream of one team.
The defending champions have not played like champions in the tournament so far. They lost the last game against Pakistan. This was skipper Ricky Ponting’s first defeat in the World Cup.
Australian openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were not so fluent in the group stage. Ricky Ponting’s poor form with the bat is still continued. Middle order is also off the colour. In one words, only bowlers are stuck to their task in the tournament so far.
On the other hand, India will try to take revenge of 2003 World Cup final from Aussies. However, fumble during the middle order is biggest area of concern for captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten. Despite of getting good start, Indian middle order totally failed to consolidate on it. In the last three games against tough opponents in the Group B, India lost all the wickets in batting powerplay.
The good news for India is that Virender Sehwag is back in the team. He missed the last game against West Indies due to allergic infection in the knee. After Sehwag’s return, there is fight between Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina. It is expected that the local boy Pathan will get the chance.
Meanwhile, bookies are banking on Team India and hoping for mouth-watering India-Pakistan semifinal.
But if stats are believed, both the teams have played nine matches in the prestigious tournament, in which Aussies won seven times and India just two.
India is the favourite for coveted trophy where as Australia will play to defend the title. But one thing is guaranteed that the high voltage encounter will break the dream of one team.
The defending champions have not played like champions in the tournament so far. They lost the last game against Pakistan. This was skipper Ricky Ponting’s first defeat in the World Cup.
Australian openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin were not so fluent in the group stage. Ricky Ponting’s poor form with the bat is still continued. Middle order is also off the colour. In one words, only bowlers are stuck to their task in the tournament so far.
On the other hand, India will try to take revenge of 2003 World Cup final from Aussies. However, fumble during the middle order is biggest area of concern for captain MS Dhoni and coach Gary Kirsten. Despite of getting good start, Indian middle order totally failed to consolidate on it. In the last three games against tough opponents in the Group B, India lost all the wickets in batting powerplay.
The good news for India is that Virender Sehwag is back in the team. He missed the last game against West Indies due to allergic infection in the knee. After Sehwag’s return, there is fight between Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina. It is expected that the local boy Pathan will get the chance.
Meanwhile, bookies are banking on Team India and hoping for mouth-watering India-Pakistan semifinal.
But if stats are believed, both the teams have played nine matches in the prestigious tournament, in which Aussies won seven times and India just two.
