Early assault key for Aus-Ind

The first semi-final was memorable all the way. Much has been written about it and I must say that it was one of the best cricket contests I have seen. It had everything that a match should have, some sensational batting and the most innovative bowling. The teams fought well and we must appreciate the fact that they produced great entertainment. To win sometimes you need luck and this time it smiled on New Zealand. A missed catch and run out left South Africa devastated. The stand out feature was Grant Elliott. He played intelligent cricket and showed the right approach to the game.

India will benefit if one batsman plays the Elliott game against Australia. You cannot slam every ball and every bowler and that is what they must keep in mind when they take the field in this high voltage match. To me there are no favourites in the second semi-final. India and Australia must have reserved their best for this match and I am sure the team that plays best on the day will progress. I know it is an age old cliché but it is true. There is little that separates India and Australia.

Most Indian batsmen are in form. Australia too has little worries on this front. Bowlers have delivered for both teams even though M S Dhoni did have some apprehensions in this department at the start of the World Cup. Performance in the group stage lifted the spirits of the Indian camp to an extent that Dhoni has looked relaxed. He is at the peak of his captaincy.

I am looking forward to Virat Kohli. He has been India’s best batsman for some time and it is time he came up with a knock that can settle the issue. He has excelled against Australia and has the capability to raise his game. He is a big match player and I have immense faith that he and Dhoni would play the clinching part against Australia.

India’s strength in bowling comes from their spinners though I’m not belittling the pacers. They get the breakthroughs and then the spinners take over. India’s best chance will come from the 20 or 25 overs the spinners bowl, assuming that Dhoni may thrust some responsibility on Suresh Raina. He has the big match temperament and this is the stage for him to come good again.

Australia have beaten India this summer but that is in the past. It must be at the back of India’s mind that Australia will come hard at them. The trick lies in gaining early control and stopping Australia from making early dents if India happen to bat first. Australia can hurt the frontline Indian batting because they have two lethal left-arm speedsters. India must protect their wickets in the initial stages and then plan the assault. A lot is being said of the wickets but I don’t think the surface would matter. It is going to be same for both the teams and in any case this is an ICC event. The curator will be fair. One hopes we get a cracker of a match and let the best team win.