Mitchell Marsh lavished praise on team India after they defeated Australia in their last Super Eight clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 by 24 runs at at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Monday. Rohit Sharma's 92 off 41 balls helped India to defeat Marsh & Co. in their do-or-die clash.
Australia are almost out of the T20 World Cup because the side have lost two matches out of three in their Super 8 clash of the marquee event, Now their qualification depends upon the upcoming Super 8 match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Marsh also motivated the Shanto-led side to beat Rashid & Co.
“Disappointing. It happens in the game of cricket. In the course of 40 overs, there are a lot of small margins. India were the better team, Rohit is a class player. (On Head and Maxwell's batting) Gave us more belief than hope. In a run chase like that if you keep it at 10 an over, we are in the game. India's bowlers were too good though in the end. Come on, Bangladesh now!” said Marsh in a post-match celebration.
How Australia qualify for the Semifinal after India's loss
Australia's prospects of making it to the semifinals hinge on the outcome of the match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Australia will be eliminated if Afghanistan secures a victory. Therefore, Australia must root for Afghanistan to lose to Bangladesh. Should Afghanistan be defeated, Australia will advance to the semifinal due to having a superior run rate.
India vs Australia match report
Coming back to the game, Skipper Rohit Sharma played an innings to remember as India marched into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup with a 24-run win over Australia in their last Super Eights fixture.
Rohit combined brute force with elegance in his 92 off 41 balls as India amassed 205 for five after Australia opted to bowl on a batting beauty. In reply, Australia ended at 181 for seven.
Staring at an early exit from the competition, Australia showed their familiar fighting spirit in the run chase via skipper Mitchell Marsh (37 off 28), who was back among the runs, and India's nemesis Travis Head (76 off 43), who played a blinder in the ODI World Cup final last year.
The trio of Kuldeep Yadav (2/24), Jasprit Bumrah (1/29) and Arshdeep Singh (3/37) eventually kept the Australians at bay. India finished as group toppers.
After their second loss in three games, Australia have left their fate in the hands of Afghanistan who take on Bangladesh later on Monday and are also in running for the second semifinal spot from Group 1.
India's third win in as many games in Super Eights gave them a date with defending champions England in the second semifinal in Guyana.
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