Thu, 24 Mar 2011 - Australia vs India, World Cup 2011, 2nd Quarter Final Match - Bulletin

Awesome Yuvraj take India to semis, meet Pakistan

A magnificent half century from India’s crises man Yuvraj Singh(57 n.o. off 65 balls) sealed the game for the host nation against the marauding Austrlaia in a humdinger of a contest at Motera. Riding on the brilliance of Yuvraj’s uber-cool head, India overhauled Australia’s total of 260 with 14 balls and 4 wickets to spare and in the process ousted winner of last three world cup – the marauding Aussies- of the big event.

India will now take on arch-rival Paksitan in a mouth-watering semifinal at Mohali on March the 30th.

Yuvraj, who won his fourth man of the match award in the world cup, was ably supported by Suresh Raina (34 off 28) who was brought into the team in the place of Yusuf Patahn. The match had looked evenly balanced when Raina joined Yuvraj with team still needing 74 off 76 balls.

From there, both Yuvraj and Raina took the total control of the game and in a display of breathtaking stroke play took India home at canter without any further hiccup.

The Indian run chase had got off to a rapid-fire start with both Sachin and Sehwag setting Motera ablaze with flurry of boundaries before Sehwag perished to a pool that he miscued off Lee and ended up giving a dolly of a catch to David Hussey at mid wicket.

Sachin, through was in imperious form once again and carted Aussie bowlers all around the park on his way to a steady 68-ball 53. Tendulkar also completed his 18000 runs during this innings.

After Sachin’s dismissal, it was Gautam Gambhir who took the attack on the Ausies and brought up his fifty before perishing to a mindless run out. Though, India lost Kohli too in the bargain, the insouciance of Yuvraj ensured India would not choke on this big occasion.

Australian bowling looked deflated with spinners failing to back up the good work from the opening duo of Lee and Tait who bowled with verve to make inroads into Indian innings.

Earlier, winning the toss and batting first Australia posted a comprehensive score of 260 for 6 thanks to an awesome hundred by skipper Ricky Ponting who put to shade his poor run of form with dogged determination and spirit.

It was 30th ODI century of Ricky Ponting.

Australia had started sedately before they lost inform Shane Watson to offie R Ashwin in the tenth over.

On the other end, Haddin was in at his sublime best taking liking to the medium pace of Munaf Patel hitting three fours in his one over on his way to a well compiled half-century before getting out to Yuvraj Singh’s left arm spin 53 runs off 62 balls.

India then shown some terrific commitment in the middle overs with most of the fielders alert and diving around to pressure on the Aussie batsmen and they were rewarded with wickets as Australian batsmen tried to break the shackles.

Yuvraj was again pick of the Indian bowler as he returned figures of 2 for 44 in ten overs. Zaheer Khan and Ashwin were also impressive with the ball with each claiming two wickets a piece.

Yuvraj takes India to semis

India 261/5 in 47.4 overs

India win by five wickets

Yuvraj Singh played yet another crucial innings to take India to semi-final to be played against Pakistan at Mohali.

Yuvraj kept calm and alongwith Raina took India across the finishing line to shut-out defending champions Australia of the tournament.

Yuvraj scores fifty as India close in

India: 239/5 in 45 overs

Yuvraj Singh borught yet another half-century of this tournamnet to bring India within the sights of a victory in quarter final.

India were struggling at 187 for the loss of five wickets but Yuvraj alongwith Raina combined together to take attack back into Australian camp

Lee gets Dhoni to peg back India

India*: 187 / 5 in 37.3 overs RR: 4.99 Last man out Dhoni c Clarke b Lee 7 (8b 1x4 0x6) SR: 87.50

India it seems are making things difficult for themselves gifting their wickets away cheaply latest being Indian captain Dhoni after he played a aerial cut shot only to be caught at point by Clarke.

Indian hopes now rest on their all-rounder Yuvraj Singh who is looking good at the moment and needs some support on other end.

178 / 4 in 35.3 overs (RR: 5.01)

Dhoni has broken the shackles with a thumping punch for four through cover. India need cool heads amidst this conditions. And no one can be better than Dhoni to guide the chase.

Gambhir run-out to give AUS hope

India*: 168 / 4 in 33.2 overs RR: 5.04 Last man out Gambhir run out 50 (64b 2x4 0x6) SR: 78.12

Gautam Gambhir was finally run-out after he had escaped twice in the space of four balls. Both he and Yuvraj lacked proper communication resulting in India losing Gambhir who was batting well on 50 to give Australia some hope to win this game.

Hussey gets Kohli to lift Australia

India*: 143 / 3 in 28.3 overs RR: 5.02

Last man out….Virat Kohli c Clarke b Hussey 24 (33b 1x4 0x6) SR: 72.72

David Hussey provided Australia what they had been desperately looking for by removing Virat Kohli after he had put an important 3rd wicket partnership of 49 runs with his Delhi teammate Gambhir.

India were going along nicely till Kohli hit a full toss straight to Clarke’s throat who was fielding at short mid-wicket.

India*: 132 / 2 in 27.0 overs RR: 4.89

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is bringing in changes in bowling to get the breakthrough his team desperately need.

But Indian batsmen are playing sensibly to keep rotating the strike and not giving anything away.

Gambhir, Kohli steady chase

India*: 118 / 2 in 24.0 overs RR: 4.92

Australian offie Jason Krejza is getting lot of turn but Indian batsmen have handled him nicely so far by not letting him to settle into his groove.

Delhi batsmen Gambhir and Virat Kohli are slow and steadily collecting the runs by hitting the gaps to get singles and doubles to keep the scoring board ticking over.

Tait strikes to remove Sachin

India*: 94 / 2 in 18.1 overs RR: 5.17

Last man out….Sachin Tendulkar c Haddin b Tait 53 (68b 7x4 0x6) SR: 77.94

Shaun Tait who has looked erratic throughout his spell dented India badly by getting a big wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for 53 runs.

There was some excitement as umpire just wanted to know whether Shaun hadn’t touched the back-line during his bowling stride.

Sachin fifty guides Indian run chase

India*: 86 / 1 in 17.0 overs RR: 5.06

Sachin Tendulkar scored his 94th ODI fifty of his career to guide Indian pursuit of 261 runs to win this quarterfinal.

He has looked in terrific form right from the word go and hitting some gorgeous strokes and not letting Australian bowlers to settle down.

He was ably supported by Gautam Gambhir who was also getting into his groove after very run of his.

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