India and Australia face off at Mohali today in a virtual quarter-final with both teams playing for a single semi-final spot. Australia have been playing some good cricket apart from their loss to the Kiwis and will be trying to put in a dominating performance against India.
India, widely considered to be the tournament favourites, have survived a lot of hiccups and can thank their stars for being still alive in the tournament. The high-octane clash is expected to showcase cricket of the highest quality with some of the finest cricketers going head to head in a do or die contest.
Here are 5 things to look forward to in the India-Australia clash.
#1 A Rohit Sharma blitzkrieg
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Few will disagree about the fact that when Rohit Sharma plays, it is a treat to watch. Though he used to be endlessly trolled a few years ago for his extended lack of form, Sharma has now turned himself into one of the foremost openers in the shorter versions of the game.
He has been the standout performer for India and consistency has been his hallmark over the last few years when it comes to ODIs and T20Is. But Sharma has not been his usual self and has failed to fire ever since the Asia Cup.
It is unbecoming of a batsman of his stature to be down in the dumps for long. Rohit is indeed overdue for a big innings now and today might be the day when he delivers. India will need a big start from him in a crunch match like this. If he gets out cheaply, it will again put too much pressure on the middle order.
#2 Kohli vs Smith - a tale of two geniuses
The four emerging big guns of the next generation - Smith, Kohli, Williamson and Root - have all put their hands up and performed exceedingly well for their teams. Young and classy, these big guns play with quintessential swagger and take pride in their performances.
Williamson and Root might have taken their teams to the semi-finals but today's game will mark the end of the road for either Kohli or Smith as far as this tournament is concerned. In such a do or die contest, the focus is obviously going to be on these big two to carry their teams forward.
Smith and Kohli are players that their teams heavily depend upon and everyone will be counting on them to perform on the big stage today. Can one outdo the other or will the big occasion get to them?
Kohli will be fired up by Mitchell Johnson's comment and will do his best to avoid an early elimination on home turf. Smith will try to lead the Aussies to their maiden World T20 title. They are men whom the opposition will try to dismiss early. Because in the end, their innings might just be the difference.
#3 A battle dictated by the spinners
All the pitches that India have played so far in the tournament have offered decent help for the spinners. If certain rumours coming in are to be believed, the curators at Mohali may just dish out another spinner-friendly track for today's high octane clash.
Ashwin will once again hold the key to India's hopes and a lot will depend on how the Australian batsmen play him. Jadeja has been doing a decent job as well and is providing decent support for Ashwin. Raina and Yuvraj will remain the extra spinning options who can do well in spin-friendly conditions.
It remains to be seen if Dhoni decides to go in with Harbhajan Singh should the track offer assistance for the spinners. Given Dhoni's reluctance to disturb the winning combination, it is unlikely that last match's hero Hardik Pandya will be dropped. But going for Harbhajan might be a brave move that can provide rich dividends.
Much was said about the inexperience in the Aussie spin bowling attack but Adam Zampa has done a wonderful job so far. The rookie leggie has been economical and difficult to score against in the tournament so far. He will hold the key to the middle overs and a lot will depend on his performance.
#4 Watson's swansong?
Shane Watson seems to be a rejuvenated man. Ever since he announced that he would retire right after the World T20, it looks like the shackles have been lifted off him and he has been playing freely. He will like to continue doing the good work he has done so far in the tournament.
Watson is now a vital cog in the Aussie middle order and can provide the late thrust with his big hitting. He can also anchor the innings if the Aussies lose some early wickets. He has also been performing well with the ball with the Australians heavily relying on his yorkers at the death.
Will today be Watson's swansong and Australia crash out of the tournament? Watson will hope it isn't and will try everything to end his career on a high. We have seen Afridi's career possibly end on a sad note with Dilshan and Mortaza being the other players who we might not see in an ICC tournament again. Watson certainly deserves a better end.
#5 More masterstrokes from Dhoni
MS Dhoni has been widely praised for his captaincy in the tournament. From cleverly using Ashwin to removing his glove for the last delivery in the match against Bangladesh, Dhoni has made a match out of nothing and virtually pulled a rabbit out of the hat.
All eyes will be on MS Dhoni for today's match. How he will handle Bumrah and Ashwin, what plans he has against the likes of Warner, Smith and Maxwell, and in which position he himself will come to bat are some of the interesting strategic questions that might go on to decide India's fate in the tournament.
Will he continue to get the best out of Bumrah and Ashwin? How will he use his part-time bowlers? It will be interesting to see what more he has up his sleeve for this high profile match.
And we will certainly be expecting some fireworks from MSD, the batsman because if he gets going, there is no match winner like him. We don't know if he will be around till 2019 and this might well be his last ICC tournament.
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