The T20 World Cup 2024 continues with a high-octane clash between India (IND) and Australia (AUS). The Super Eight clash will see both sides IND and AUS take on each other at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia, in the 51st game of the tournament on Monday, June 24.
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.
IND vs AUS Previous Performances
Led by Rohit Sharma, India are currently unbeaten in the tournament and will hope to keep up their momentum with another win against the mighty Australia. On the other hand, the Aussies will be coming into the game on the back of a loss in their previous game against Afghanistan. They will hope to get right back on track and topple the Indian team.
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.
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.
IND vs AUS Head to Head
India have a 3-2 edge over Australia in their T20 World Cup meetings so far. The last time they clashed in this tournament, however, was back in 2016.
| Matches | 31 | |
| Won by Australia | 11 | |
| Won by India | 19 | |
| Tied | 00 | |
| No Result | 01 | |
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IND vs AUS Pitch Report
The surface at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium is a batter-preferred surface. The bowlers could face a tough time on such a pitch, and opting to bat first after winning the toss could be a wise decision.
St Lucia has been the most batting-friendly venue of this T20 World Cup in terms of both scoring rate (8.92) and average (28.76). Fast bowlers have struggled to keep the runs down here, going at a worst-in-the-competition 9.42, but spinners have done relatively better, returning a better economy rate here (7.91) than in both Dallas and Antigua.
There is a good chance of rain in St Lucia, though, with forecasts predicting showers through Monday morning with the weather clearing up roughly between 10am and 4pm.
IND vs AUS In the spotlight – Marsh and Arshdeep
This hasn’t been the best of World Cups for Mitchell Marsh, with six innings bringing him just 88 runs at an average of 17.60 and a strike rate of 111.39. Conditions in the West Indies haven’t always been conducive to the Australia captain’s brand of hit-through-the-line strokeplay, but a return to St Lucia, the highest-scoring venue of this tournament, could help him find his way back into form.
Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest wicket-taker in this World Cup with 12 strikes at the rate of one every 10 balls, but he’s also been their only regular bowler with an economy rate north of 7. He’s looked hugely impressive when the ball has swung, but he’s also looked inconsistent with his lengths at other times, which he will want to guard against on Monday given the opposition and the likely conditions.
IND vs AUS Vital Stats and trivia
- India have a 3-2 edge over Australia in their T20 World Cup meetings so far. The last time they clashed in this tournament, however, was back in 2016.
- Virat Kohli (4103) and Rohit Sharma (4073) are separated by just 30 runs on top of India’s run-scoring leaderboard in T20Is.
- If they both feature, Agar and Arshdeep will play their 50th T20Is. Agar made his T20I debut in March 2016, while Arshdeep made his in July 2022. New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi (51) is the only player from a Full Member team to play more T20Is than Arshdeep since his debut.
- Australia could find a way to bowl spin to Kohli and Rohit in the powerplay even if they leave Agar out. Off spinners have bowled effectively to them in the powerplay so far at this World Cup, with Mohammad Nabi and Mahedi Hasan getting through quiet overs. Kohli has scored nine off 12 balls against offspin in the powerplay so far, and Rohit nine off eight. Glenn Maxwell, then, could be a useful option.
IND vs AUS Probable Playing 11
Australia
David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk.), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
India:
Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav , Jasprit Bumrah
AUS vs IND Fantasy XI : David Warner, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah
IND vs AUS Probable Best Performers of the match
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.
IND vs AUS Match Prediction
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