During tomorrow’s India vs Australia match, you can expect massive scoring, records being broken and sledging, to name a few.
With 70% of stadium tickets bought by Indians, Australia captain Michael Clarke was forced to send out an SOS Tweet to his fellow countrymen for support.
I call on all Australian cricket lovers to paint the SCG gold on Thursday. We need your support. #goldout
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 20, 2015
Former Australian pace bowler Brett Lee believes that the hosts will outperform the Asian team, in the process setting up the final clash against New Zealand.
However, with the Indian fans painting the Sydney Cricket Ground blue, MS Dhoni and his men will get the much-needed motivation to beat Australia in its own backyard. Rohit Sharma appeared confident before this important clash, as he spoke to the media, “Of course we can win, no question about it. We know how to play big games. Spinners have been vital, responsibility will be on openers.”
India will rely on its openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan for a steady start, making batting simpler for the middle-order batsmen including Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina.
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s opening partnership will be crucial
Australia, on the other hand, would be confident playing at home and try hard to get one step closer to winning their fifth World Cup.
The Aussies bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson has vowed to sledge Indian batsmen at the SCG tomorrow. The audience at the ground and the one watching from home can anticipate a few verbal spats between players of the two squads.
Mitchell Johnson said he would take up sledging against Indian players
It was the recently concluded tri-series when Australian opening batsman David Warner engaged in a verbal duel with India’s Rohit Sharma during an ODI match, for which he was penalised by the ICC. The outcome of it was Warner keeping out of any kind of heated verbal interacting with his opponents. This was when Mitchell Johnson put his hand up saying he won’t withhold from exchanging heated words.
India, too, are said to be fine with sledging during the match, but vowed to not cross the line.
Former Australian pace bowler Stuart Clarke has predicted Ravichandran Ashwin as being the most difficult man to tackle for Australia in tomorrow’s bout against India.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s 10 overs against Australia would be crucial
After its win against Bangladesh in the quarter-finals, India successfully managed to bowl out an opponent for the seventh consecutive match. Indian bowlers would be looking to take the tally to number eight tomorrow against one of their bitter rivals.
The Australian opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner has not performed at its best potential, which would be a plus side for India. Nevertheless, their middle-order batting has risen to the occasion whenever needed and getting them out would be the key.
Australian opening partnership of Aaron Finch and David Warner has not really clicked
India’s pace attack comprising Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami possess the ability to get ten wickets and they have shown it in the prior seven occasions. Knowing whether they would be able to repeat the feat tomorrow will have to wait.
Though Australia, as hosts and a much superior team as compared to India, looks likely to win this match, India will definitely put up a strong fight and hope to retain the World Cup for the first time.
