Beginning with the toss nothing worked for India. They were outsmarted by Australia in conditions that suited them more. There is no doubt that Australia were the superior team and deserved a spot in the final against New Zealand. The teams that have played the best cricket will vie for the World Cup on Sunday.
All through the summer Australia had looked the better team against India and they proved it in a one-sided semi-final. I will call it one-sided because the margin of India’s defeat was 95 runs. The domination by Australia was complete in every department. The two run outs of M S Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja showed what difference electric fielding can make to the result.
India gave away too many runs. True, the wicket was good to bat on. There was not much for the bowlers but there was no discipline in the way the Indians bowled. Someone like Ravindra Jadeja was exposed even though Ravichandran Ashwin gave a stellar performance. He has been the most outstanding bowler for India.
I think the Indian bowlers got carried away when they attempted to short pitch the ball. They ended up conceding 30 runs extra with their poor line and length. Batting was India’s strong point and not bowling. Still, I expected them to understand the importance of good line and change of pace. Nothing worked for them.
When you bat first the pressure can’t be much because there is nothing on the scoreboard when the contest begins. India got an early wicket but the 182-run partnership between Aaron Finch and Steve Smith took the game away. India have not been able to contain Smith and he continued to make runs with ease. His century was a reflection of his confidence.
Another thing that worked in Australia’s way was the contribution from the tail-enders. The cameo by Mitchell Johnson was so critical because it presented Australia with a cushion of 328 when 300 looked on cards. It meant pressure on India from the first ball. Johnson and James Faulkner contributed precious runs. In comparison, the Indian tail has hardly complemented the efforts of the batsmen.
The Indians were also guilty of playing some ill-advised shots. I had hope from Virat Kohli but he came up with a poor shot. He is a top-class player and ought to have planned his knock better. Even Shikhar Dhawan played a loose shot. He should have known that the innings had progressed smoothly and there was no need to increase the pace by taking risk. Dhawan’s dismissal gave Australia a small opening and they grabbed it like a true professional.
Suresh Raina once again failed against quality attack. He has remained vulnerable against pace, looking to score mostly behind the stumps, but not against someone who is bowling 140-plus. It was the first time that India had been tested in this World Cup, with the exception of the win against South Africa, and when confronted with a tough team Dhoni and his boys lost the plot.