T20 World Cup 2024, AUS vs IND: Australia Win Toss, Opt to Bowl First; Check Playing XIs

Saint Lucia: Team India is set to square off against Australia in their final Super 8 game of the T20 World Cup tonight, with a victory ensuring they top their group and secure a semifinal spot.

Following their surprising loss to Afghanistan in Saint Vincent on Saturday, Australia find themselves under immense pressure, their fate no longer in their hands. They must now hope for a favourable result in Afghanistan’s final match against Bangladesh.

India have faced tough defeats against Australia in major ICC events, but this time, they have the opportunity to potentially knock their archnemeses out of the tournament early. With back-to-back wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh, India appear well-prepared, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli delivering crucial performances. Shivam Dube also silenced critics with a decent contribution against Afghanistan.

The standout for India has been the all-round performance of Hardik Pandya, excelling with both bat and ball. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav has also been pivotal, providing crucial wickets in the middle overs.

Despite a gruelling schedule with three Super 8 games and substantial travel, India’s management is likely to stick with their current lineup. The team opted for rest over training upon arriving in Saint Lucia, considering the packed itinerary.

Monday’s game at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium will be the second day match at the venue, known for high scores in day-night matches but trickier conditions for chasing under the sun. The pitch, regarded as the best batting surface of the tournament, is expected to benefit slower bowlers as the day progresses.

Playing XIs

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

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