This Australia-India match was always expected to be intense due to the history between these teams and the significance of November 19.
However, the events of June 22 have added even more excitement. Group 1 of the Super Eight in the 2024 T20 World Cup is now wide open.
When is India vs Australia?
Monday, 24th January from 8 pm onwards
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India vs Australia: Match Preview
It’s probably the shortest flight in the cricket world—just 12 minutes between St Vincent and St Lucia. You might expect the Australians to be relatively unbothered by this quick trip across the Caribbean Sea. However, they had to endure a 40-minute drive to the airport in St Vincent, followed by a 90-minute drive to their hotel in St Lucia, all for that brief 12-minute flight.
The flight was delayed by at least 90 minutes. Once they arrived, it still took them over 15 minutes to board. They likely only reached their rooms around 1 a.m. after their defeat to Afghanistan. Consequently, they wouldn’t have arrived at their hotel on Sunday (June 23) before 4 p.m., giving them less than 16 hours before their crucial must-win match against India, which will determine their continued participation in the World Cup.
While Australia scrambled to get to St Lucia on the eve of their final Super 8s match, the Indians were enjoying a day off. They had arrived a day earlier after virtually securing their qualification for the next round with a win over Bangladesh in Antigua. The Indian team is also motivated by the possibility of knocking out the team that shattered a billion hearts, including their own, six months ago in the final of the 50-over World Cup.
Afghanistan’s historic win against Australia in St Vincent, their first ever against Australia across formats, has thrown their group wide open, with none of the teams officially qualified for the knockouts. While Rashid Khan & Co. have given themselves the best chance to advance, Australia’s loss has disrupted what seemed to be a perfect campaign until then.
Although this game isn’t a must-win for either team, a loss would leave Australia in a precarious position. Meanwhile, India’s favorable net run rate provides some security, but there’s still a risk they could miss out on a semi-finals spot.
It’s Australia vs. India, with the stakes at their peak. What more could a cricket fan desire? Well, there’s one concern: the weather forecast in St Lucia isn’t very promising.
A washout would work perfectly for India, securing their semi-finals spot. However, for Australia, the difference between earning two points and just one could be immense. They are acutely aware of this, having been affected by such a scenario in a recent global tournament.
India, with their superior net run rate, are closest to a semi-final spot among the contenders. A win against Australia at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on Monday morning (June 24) would virtually knock the Aussies out of the tournament.
India vs Australia: Form Guide
Australia LWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
India WWWWW
India vs Australia: Pitch Conditions
St Lucia has been the most batting-friendly venue in this T20 World Cup, boasting the highest scoring rate (8.92) and average (28.76). Fast bowlers have struggled significantly here, conceding runs at a competition-worst economy rate of 9.42. In contrast, spinners have performed relatively better, with an economy rate of 7.91, which is more favorable than in Dallas and Antigua.
St Lucia has consistently been the most humid of all the islands during this World Cup while also being the best place for batting. In a tournament where varying conditions have played a significant role, the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground has been a venue where most teams have thrived. It is arguably the ideal location to host this highly anticipated battle, especially now with the stakes so high.
However, there is a considerable chance of rain in St Lucia. Forecasts predict showers through Monday morning, with the weather expected to clear up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
India vs Australia: Head-to-head
India holds a 3-2 advantage over Australia in their T20 World Cup encounters to date. However, their last meeting in this tournament was in 2016.
India vs Australia: Team News
India
India has largely settled on what was considered their best XI before the tournament began, especially after moving to the Caribbean from the USA. The inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav will be crucial in conditions where batters are likely to attack aggressively, as the left-arm wrist spinner had to wait for his opportunity to enter the World Cup. Given the lack of assistance for fast bowlers from the pitch, it’s expected that India will field the same XI that played against Bangladesh.
It seems unlikely that India will alter their 3-3 bowling combination, with Hardik Pandya as one of the three seamers. However, their two left-arm orthodox spinners might face some pressure if either Travis Head or David Warner bats into the middle overs.
India’s Predicted XI:
- Rohit Sharma (Capt.)
- Virat Kohli
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dube
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Kuldeep Yadav
Australia
Australia opted for an extra spinner against Afghanistan, bringing in Ashton Agar and leaving out Mitchell Starc. They might stick with that combination—Agar played in their previous game in St Lucia against Scotland—especially since Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are not particularly fond of facing left-arm spin in the powerplay. However, considering the high stakes of this match, will they continue to leave out one of their most experienced match-winners?
As much as Ashton Agar’s selection was expected, the decision to leave out Mitchell Starc has sparked considerable discussion in Australia. This is particularly notable given Starc’s fine form and his recent achievement of surpassing Lasith Malinga as the fast bowler with the most World Cup wickets (across both 50-over and T20 formats). For this crucial match, expect a direct swap with Starc returning to the lineup.
Australia’s Predicted XI:
- Travis Head
- David Warner
- Mitchell Marsh (capt)
- Glenn Maxwell
- Marcus Stoinis
- Tim David
- Matthew Wade (wk)
- Pat Cummins
- Mitchell Starc/Ashton Agar
- Adam Zampa
- 11 Josh Hazlewood
India vs Australia: Players Under Spotlight
India- Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest wicket-taker in this World Cup, with 12 dismissals at a rate of one every 10 balls. However, he is also the only regular bowler on the team with an economy rate over 7. He has been highly impressive when the ball swings, but he has struggled with consistency in his lengths at other times. He will need to address this on Monday, given the strength of the opposition and the likely conditions.
Australia- Mitchell Marsh
This World Cup hasn’t been favorable for Mitchell Marsh, who has scored only 88 runs in six innings at an average of 17.60 and a strike rate of 111.39. The conditions in the West Indies haven’t suited his hit-through-the-line strokeplay. However, a return to St Lucia, the highest-scoring venue of the tournament, might help him regain his form.
Where To Watch The T20 World Cup Live in India? Streaming Details
Cricket enthusiasts can catch the live action of the T20 World Cup 2024 matches via free live streaming on Disney+ Hotstar on mobile devices in India. Additionally, the T20 WC cricket matches will be broadcasted live on Star Sports and DD Sports TV channels across the country.
