press trust of india
Sydney, March 26: India’s superb run in the World Cup came to an inglorious end when they lost to Australia by 95 runs in the semifinals here Thursday as the hosts outplayed them in all departments of the game.
The four-time champions rode on Steve Smith’s classy 105 to post an imposing 328/7 before bundling out India for 233 in 46.5 overs. Only skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (65) could handle the Aussie pacers to some extent.
The jubilant Aussies broke into wild celebrations after Mitchell Starc castled Umesh Yadav (0) in the 47th over. Home captain Michael Clarke however, was composed though as he shook hands with the Indians and acknowledged the Aussie supporters, who had interestingly been outnumbered by Indian fans here.
Set a record run chase, the first 300-plus score in a World Cup semifinal, the Indians started off with a flourish with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma (34, 48b, 1×4, 2×6) adding 76 runs for the first wicket in 12.5 overs. But Dhawan’s dismissal proved crucial as the runs dried up. The southpaw, trying to hit Josh Hazlewood out over cover holed out to Glenn Maxwell manning the sweeper position.
Mitchell Johnson (2/50), Mitchell Starc (2/28) and Josh Hazlewood (1/41) put the fancied Indian line-up under immense pressure as wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals.
Once the opening stand was broken, the home team seized the control not letting their foot off the pedal as ‘Men In Blue’ never looked like being in the contest.
Virat Kohli scored a single after facing 12 balls. The 13th turned out to be unlucky for him as he failed to gauge the extra bounce off a Johnson delivery, going for a pull which only ballooned in the air for Brad Haddin to complete a simple catch. Then Johnson crashed one through the defences of Rohit and India were all over bar the shouting of fanatic supporters.
Earlier Smith sent the Indian pacers on a leather hunt with some classy strokeplay. Aaron Finch, who played the role of sheet anchor to perfection, saw to it that Australia remained on course for a good total by adding 182 for the second wicket with Smith with a patient 81 off 111 balls.
It was the first time that Indian pace attack was put to sword as the trio of Umesh Yadav (4/72 in nine overs), Mohammed Shami (0/68 in 10 overs) and Mohit Sharma (2/75) were hammered into submission due to some poor planning as well execution. However, it was Ravi Ashwin (1/42) who somewhat restricted the Aussies as they threatened to put a score above 400. He bowled brilliantly and dismissed the dangerous Glen Maxwell.
