In a critical T20 World Cup clash, India secured a semifinal spot by defeating Australia by 24 runs, leaving the Aussies teetering on the brink of elimination. Chasing a formidable 205 for 5, Australia managed only 181 for 7 at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium. India will face England in the semifinals in Guyana on Thursday, a rematch of the 2022 semifinal in Adelaide, which England had won decisively.
Opener Travis Head kept Australia in contention until the 17th over with a 43-ball 76, featuring nine fours and four sixes. Arshdeep Singh dismissed David Warner (6) early but missed a crucial catch off Mitchell Marsh (37) in the third over, allowing the Australian captain to capitalize with two boundaries and a six.
Head aggressively targeted Jasprit Bumrah, striking three boundaries in the fourth over. However, Bumrah had the final say, dismissing Head with a slower ball that was caught by Rohit Sharma. Earlier, India's total was powered by Sharma's explosive 92 off 41 balls, including seven fours and eight sixes. Sharma set the tone by smashing Mitchell Starc for four sixes and a boundary in the third over.
Despite a tight over from Josh Hazlewood, Sharma reached his half-century in just 19 balls. Pat Cummins' introduction saw Sharma hitting the first ball onto the roof of the stadium, adding four more boundaries and a single. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and seamer Marcus Stoinis struggled to contain the run flow as India reached 114 for 2 at the halfway mark.
Sharma eventually fell to Starc, with the ball angling in and clipping the bat before hitting the stumps. Virat Kohli was dismissed for a four-ball duck, caught by Tim David off Hazlewood. Suryakumar Yadav added a quick 31 before being caught behind off Starc. Shivam Dube contributed 28, while Hardik Pandya, dropped by Marsh off Zampa, hit a boundary and two sixes in an unbeaten 27, solidifying India's commanding total.
This victory, driven by Sharma's captain's knock, ensures India's progression to the semifinals and keeps their T20 World Cup hopes alive.