Having made a mockery of the second highest run-chase in the history of limited overs cricket, the Indian team would not like to settle for anything less than an overwhelming win at the PCA Stadium on Saturday. As for George Bailey and his bunch of committed warriors, the quicker they get over the disappointment of that defeat, better it will be as this Indian team under MS Dhoni’s stewardship can decisively seize the momentum from the visitors.
To chase a target of 360 inside 44 overs requires a Herculean effort, and the trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have now proved that no target in the world is safe when they come out all guns blazing at the opposition. Three immensely talented batsmen have completely different areas of strength but what binds the troika together is their ability to give it back to the opposition as good as they get.
Dhawan’s 95 in Jaipur was all about brute power and taking the opponents by the scruff of their neck. Rohit’s 141 had the silken grace that has always been associated with this wristy Mumbaikar.
Kohli’s innings was all intimidation as he showed that why he is turning out to be one of the premier batsmen in limited overs format. His 52-ball-100 had everything. Skill, power, artistry all of which goes into the making of a brilliant cricketer.
As rival skipper Bailey had aptly pointed out at the post-match press conference in Jaipur, the Indian batting’s top seven is wonderful to have in ODI format. After a disappointing first match, the remarkable comeback would have certainly helped the Indians rejuvenate as they would like to go for the kill on another placid Punjab Cricket Association Stadium wicket which is expected to be full of runs.
Both have been dismal with the ball as they have failed to contain the run flow. Despite a heartbreaking loss, a positive aspect of this Australian team has been its batting which has fared well in all three matches. Aaron Finch and Bailey have been in terrific form while Phil Hughes has been able to put behind his poor show in the Test series earlier this year with a lot of grit and application.
Shane Watson has also made his share of contribution with the bat and the talented Glenn Maxwell has x-factor to change things around quickly. The Aussie bowlers would have never have imagined the thrashing they would get after having bowled some really fast stuff in the first one dayer at Pune.
In all it will again be a battle between immense talent of the Indians and the gutsy attitude of the Australian cricketers.
Full house expected at PCA stadium
Mohali: Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium is all set to abuzz with a capacity crowd cheering India and Australia in the third ODI on Saturday. Even as most of the tickets are already sold out, some with higher prices are still up for grabs. ‘We are expecting a packed (27,000 capacity) stadium Saturday. The Chair block and the Students block tickets have been sold out,’ PCA joint secretary GS Walia told the media on match eve.
To chase a target of 360 inside 44 overs requires a Herculean effort, and the trio of Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have now proved that no target in the world is safe when they come out all guns blazing at the opposition. Three immensely talented batsmen have completely different areas of strength but what binds the troika together is their ability to give it back to the opposition as good as they get.
Dhawan’s 95 in Jaipur was all about brute power and taking the opponents by the scruff of their neck. Rohit’s 141 had the silken grace that has always been associated with this wristy Mumbaikar.
Kohli’s innings was all intimidation as he showed that why he is turning out to be one of the premier batsmen in limited overs format. His 52-ball-100 had everything. Skill, power, artistry all of which goes into the making of a brilliant cricketer.
As rival skipper Bailey had aptly pointed out at the post-match press conference in Jaipur, the Indian batting’s top seven is wonderful to have in ODI format. After a disappointing first match, the remarkable comeback would have certainly helped the Indians rejuvenate as they would like to go for the kill on another placid Punjab Cricket Association Stadium wicket which is expected to be full of runs.
Both have been dismal with the ball as they have failed to contain the run flow. Despite a heartbreaking loss, a positive aspect of this Australian team has been its batting which has fared well in all three matches. Aaron Finch and Bailey have been in terrific form while Phil Hughes has been able to put behind his poor show in the Test series earlier this year with a lot of grit and application.
Shane Watson has also made his share of contribution with the bat and the talented Glenn Maxwell has x-factor to change things around quickly. The Aussie bowlers would have never have imagined the thrashing they would get after having bowled some really fast stuff in the first one dayer at Pune.
In all it will again be a battle between immense talent of the Indians and the gutsy attitude of the Australian cricketers.
Full house expected at PCA stadium
Mohali: Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium is all set to abuzz with a capacity crowd cheering India and Australia in the third ODI on Saturday. Even as most of the tickets are already sold out, some with higher prices are still up for grabs. ‘We are expecting a packed (27,000 capacity) stadium Saturday. The Chair block and the Students block tickets have been sold out,’ PCA joint secretary GS Walia told the media on match eve.