ICC World Cup 2019: Shikhar Dhawan, Bowlers Help India Register Second Win

India cruised to a convincing win against defending champions Australia as they won the 14th match of the ICC World Cup by 36 runs. The Indian batting came up with a collective performance to post a mammoth score of 352 after the bowling line-up restricted Australia to 316 runs.

Man of the match:

Shikhar Dhawan was awarded the Man of the match for his brilliant knock of 117 runs.

India vs Australia – Australia’s innings

Australia knew that they had to bat out of their skin to chase the gargantuan score of 353 runs. David Warner and Aaron Finch started the run-chase on a similar note as Indian openers. Both the batsmen started their innings in a sedate manner but kept their wickets intact. The Australian openers added 61 runs for the opening wicket.

However, Aaron Finch was the first wicket to fell when the Australian captain came back for the second run. In fact, Finch had taken a pause and could not make his ground at the non-striker end. The talisman batsman was batting in the groove on 36 runs and he was livid with his dismissal.

On the other hand, runs didn’t come thickly for David Warner – like in the match against Afghanistan. The southpaw batsman meandered to 56 runs from 84 balls as he struggled to get going.

Meanwhile, Steven Smith was able to continue his good form going. Smith who had scored a gutsy knock of 73 against the West Indies – scored a fine knock of 69 runs from 70 balls. However, Smith’s innings was put paid by Bhuvneshwar Kumar who got the better of the former skipper with a slower delivery. One ball later, Kumar was able to get the better of Marcus Stoinis to leave Australia’s run-chase in a muddle.

Glenn Maxwell was able to hit the ground running as he had the license to bat in the way he always likes. However, Maxwell top-edged Chahal which was brilliantly taken by Ravindra Jadeja. Hence, Australia’s run-chase was done and dusted there.

However, Alex Carey gave a ray of hope when the southpaw batsman scored a fine fifty of 25 balls. But Carey could not get support from the other end.

India vs Australia – India’s innings

India got off to a fine start as the openers added a partnership of 127 runs. Both the openers took their time in the initial phase. Subsequently, both players brought their time before hitting the ground running. Shikhar Dhawan was the aggressive partner whereas Rohit Sharma took a backseat to Dhawan’s assault.

Rohit Sharma continued his dream form going as the talisman scored a fine knock of 57 runs from 70 balls with the help of three fours and one six. However, extra bounce from Nathan Coulter-Nile’s ball had Rohit Sharma’s number on it. The right-hander was looking to guide the ball towards the third man for a single but edged off to Alex Carey.

However, Shikhar Dhawan kept going strong despite his opening partner’s dismissal. Dhawan scored a majestic knock of 117 runs and continued his love affair with World Cup events. The southpaw batsman brought the best as he played delightful shots on the off-side.

Dhawan scored his 17th ODI century and third World Cup hundred. The left-hander scored 16 fours in his innings as he batted at the top of his game.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli also played a fine knock of 82 runs from 77 balls. The Indian captain struggled to get going in the initial phase but he was quick to get back to the top of his game. Hardik Pandya was promoted to number four and the hard-hitter was able to hit the ground running. Pandya timed the ball to perfection from the get-go and clobbered 48 runs 27 balls with the help of four fours and three sixes.

MS Dhoni also added the finishing touches to the innings as the right-hander scored 27 runs from 14 balls laden with three fours and one six. Thus, India posted a gargantuan score of 352 runs to put their noses in front.

Marcus Stoinis scalped two wickets whereas Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Pat Cummins took one wicket each. However, all the Australian bowlers were on the expensive side.