India flex, Australia worry!

Rohit Sharma's men were able to tame varied challenges thrown at them in the ongoing World Cup so far, and they will be eager to take the Super Eight stage to its fitting conclusion when they confront their unsettled and pressured rivals on Monday.

A third consecutive win for India would not only elevate them to the summit of their group and secure their passage to the semifinals but also significantly imperil Australia's prospects of progressing, particularly in the wake of their unexpected defeat to Afghanistan in Saint Vincent on Saturday night.

After their setback against Afghanistan, the Yellow Army find themselves in a precarious position where their destiny is no longer within their control. They will anxiously monitor Rashid Khan's team in their final fixture against Bangladesh on Monday.

Pat Cummins (L) watches as India cricketer Rohit Sharma takes a run. Pic/AFP

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue, no stranger to bitter defeats at the hands of Australia in major ICC tournaments, now harbours hopes of witnessing their formidable rivals exit the competition prematurely.

India has fine-tuned their game meticulously in preparation for the knockout stages, having comprehensively met the challenges posed by Afghanistan and Bangladesh in successive victories. Both Sharma and Virat Kohli displayed innings of substance against Afghanistan, while Shivam Dube, under scrutiny for his previous performances, silenced his critics with a pivotal contribution.

Rishabh Pant, batting at number three, will aim to rectify his susceptibility to dismissals off reverse hits, an area he acknowledges needs improvement. The standout performer for India in this tournament, Hardik Pandya, has excelled with both bat and ball, augmenting his incisive spells with crucial runs. Kuldeep Yadav has swiftly emerged as a match-winner, entrusted with the responsibility of taking key wickets during the middle overs.

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Despite the demanding schedule of three Super 8 games interspersed with travel, the Indian management is inclined to maintain squad continuity rather than resorting to rotations. Having arrived in Saint Lucia on Saturday, they opted against training ahead of the crucial Monday encounter, prioritising rest over practice amidst the taxing travel logistics.

The upcoming match at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium marks only the second day game of the tournament. Previous day-night fixtures at the venue have witnessed high-scoring affairs, though England's recent inability to chase 164 runs in a day game against South Africa serves as a reminder of the pitch's challenges. The surface, hailed as the finest batting strip in the competition, is expected to aid slower bowlers as the day progresses under the relentless Caribbean sun.

In contrast, Australia faces significant concerns heading into the pivotal fixture. Their batting faltered against Afghanistan, contributing to a lacklustre performance compounded by uncharacteristic lapses in the field by Mitchell Marsh's team. Marsh himself, having amassed a meagre 88 runs in six games at a strike rate of 111, shoulders the responsibility to lead from the front against India.

In bowling, off-spinner Glenn Maxwell confronts scrutiny over his economy rate of 8.58 runs per over, necessitating improvements to bolster Australia's chances. The anticipated duel between Kohli and leg-spinner Adam Zampa adds further intrigue, with the latter having previously held the upper hand over the Indian batting maestro on multiple occasions.

Australia's selection strategy also warrants scrutiny, having opted for Ashton Agar over Mitchell Starc in their match against Afghanistan. This decision may undergo revision in preparation for the encounter against India, reflecting the team's intent to adapt and respond decisively following their recent disappointments.

As the stage is set for a gripping showdown between these cricketing powerhouses, both sides are poised to showcase their mettle in what promises to be a pivotal moment in the World Cup journey.

For India however, the opportunity to overcome past heartbreaks and assert their dominance over a formidable opponent beckons, while Australia seeks redemption and resurgence amidst mounting challenges.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author's personal views and do not represent the views of Mid-Day.