Better bowling could decide the winner

India and Australia will play their respective first games of the Super Eights on Friday at Barbados. And with the two teams coming off two convincing wins over their opposition, and playing for the first time after Australia had beaten the Indians in an ODI series in India, 4-2, the game could acquire a needle’s edge.

The two sides have played in the 2007 edition of the tournament and India had given the Aussies a pasting thanks to a Yuvraj Singh special. Since then, the sides have met twice and it is one game apiece.

India:

India’s twin-wins over Afghanistan and South Africa looked as convincing as one has seen them get; Afghanistan were sent packing, whereas the Proteas bowlers were sent on a leather-hunt and both resulted in rather facile wins.

However, the business end of the tournament begins now, and each loss could ensure that the team pays a heavy price for it. The Indians will realise that they have two strengths going into this game, batting and spin bowling, and they will do their best to allow the duo to blossom. While the Barbados pitch does not allow for the luxury of a third spinner, India will do well to keep their options open given the injury to Praveen Kumar. With Praveen out, the fourth medium pacer in the squad is Vinay Kumar, and it will be interesting to see whether the side gets him in.

The batting has looked good, on the other hand, and the two best pieces of news were the slow return to form of Yuvraj Singh and the fitness of Gautam Gambhir.

Australia:

Australia were in a bit of a bother in the Bangladesh game at 65/6, but recovered well through Michael Hussey and the rather unlikely Steven Smith. This just goes to show the depth that the Aussies have in their batting and though the form of the middle order will be a bit of a concern, it isn’t so much to worry about yet.

What occupies the pride of place for the Australian side is their pace bowling attack that consists of the real fast bowlers. No, not the trundlers, sending them down at 125 km/hr, but those who can crank up the speeds to anywhere more than 145. If the Aussies can overcome the issues associated with the oneness about the bowling attack, then the potency could multiple itself and there is where, it could lead to an interesting battle between the Indian batsmen and Australian pace bowlers.

What will be interesting to see is the manner in which Michael Clarke gets over his slow-scoring rut, and the manner in which the Indian batsmen treat Steve Smith.
Between the two sides, there is very little to choose from, but my gut feel is that given the condition of the pitch, the Aussies will go into the game as favourites to clinch the tie.

Game begins at 7.00 pm IST today!