It was a nailbiting game yesterday and a perfect example of what quarter final match should be played like. The winning ball was passing from Indian basket to Australian basket. India have shown really good patience in the end as they were chasing the target which was never achieved by team batting second on the ground of Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad. First innings average score before this match was 258 and Australians have scored satisfactory 260 at the end of 50 overs. The highest score chased on this ground was 238 which should have put some pressure on Indian team.
It was the skipper Ricky Thomas Ponting who has led the team from front in batting and hit first century in this world cup. He is been very consistence against India, specially in big tournaments. It was probably his last world cup game and he has finished it with style. He is really good player but not good sportsman. He had lot of controversies and even before the match against India, Australian media have written lot about his captainship. Australians were looking good till the end and finished it with reasonable 260. The thing attracted in first innings was the way Indian fielders were playing. It was the best fielding I have seen from Indian team in this world cup. Everyone was giving their 100% on the field. Bowling was also descent except Munaf Patel. At the time of toss it has been said that 270 around would be descent score to defend and with the spinning track I was also thinking that India should restrict Australia below 270. The score was good but still not best to defend.
Sachin and Sehwag has started the innings really well with some patience and good shot around the ground. The only winning key for Indian team was their patience and all the players knew that they have to stay at wicket and at the same time keep the scoreboard moving. After Sehwag's wicket, It was time for another Delhi opener Gautam Gambhir to contribute some runs and get the scoreboard moving with Sachin. He played really good innings and build good partnership. Once Sachin nicked the ball and caught behind in the gloves of Haddin, another Delhi player made his entry in the Ground and it was Virat Kohli. Both this played have good partnership records in past and team was expecting them to continue. Kohli played a very poor cricket shot and the same time one of my favourite sports journalist G Rajaraman(Raj Sir) has twitted very good line, "ah virat.. what have you done! a whole ground to put that full toss away and you found Clarke!"
The complete responsibility came on the shoulder of Yuvraj who has very good tournament and already had 3 man of the match award before yesterday's match. Gambhir and Yuvraj were playing very descent game and getting singles. No risk needed as required rate was below 6. Gambhir looked like to looking for the chance to get himself runout. He missed it two times and finally the time has came when he got opportunity to get himself run out. There was no co-ordination between them. With that run out again pressure came on India and Indian skipper come to the ground. He has played some good shots but he has also given a very good catch to Clarke at point area. At that time India needed 70 runs and with only last recognized pair left.
Raina the key man of match who has just got chance to make it in playing eleven because India have not completed their 50 overs in previeous few matches. He is technically more sound than Pathan. I was also expecting the same change here as Raina is one of my favorite finisher of game. He played some defencive shots and set himself with the wicket. Meanwhile Yuvraj has completed his half century. They were playing good cricket but worry for me was powerplay. Indian team collapsed in last few games when batting powerplay came into action. Ball has been given to Lee for first over of powerplay, Raina has just lofted the first ball over mid-on and it went in to the crowed for six. That has broken down Lee's confidence. 13 runs in that over has put India in driving seat and there was no chance for Australia to come back in the game. Finally Yuvraj has finished game with cover drive which went for four. Ponting was stunned by what had happened. It was end of tournament for the team which won it for last 3 times.
The most enjoyable moment for me was to look at Ponting's face when India score winning runs. It was just message from India that he should concentrate on game rather than making statements on opposition. Though I was very happy with his face there was one Cricket fan in me who was feeling bad about the bad end of a really good captain and player. He is really good cricketer but at the same time not a good sportsman at all.
It was really great match we have seen and it seems India got their perfect team combination here. It will be really good game in Semi Final against Pakistan at Mohali. If India continues with same form, they will definately lift the cup.
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