3 things Australia need to do right to beat India in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash
It's all on the line for Australia as they lock horns with India in their final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 stage on Monday, June 24. Mitchell Marsh and Co. need to win if they are to secure their berth in the semifinals before Afghanistan play Bangladesh on Tuesday.
The Aussies are in a pickle owing to their defeat at the hands of Afghanistan. Unless they take two points away from the currently unbeaten Indians, they will need Rashid Khan and Co. to lose to the Tigers if they are to progress.
So how can Australia maximize their chances of winning? There are a few strategies that could yield rich dividends against an Indian side that clearly has a few weaknesses.
Here are three things Australia need to do right to beat India in their 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 clash.
#3 Australia could use an over of Adam Zampa in the powerplay
It isn't something they do very often, but Australia could sneak in an over of Adam Zampa in the powerplay to put pressure on India's top three.
Virat Kohli has had a wretched run of form so far in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and Zampa is someone who has troubled him in the past. Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant aren't great players of spin either, so the leggie could feast if there's a bit of purchase on offer.
Getting an over of Zampa out of the way before Shivam Dube, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya come to the crease might not be the worst idea either, although the Aussie spinner can certainly hold his own against the best batters in the world.
#2 Playing Ashton Agar ahead of Mitchell Starc might be a wise idea once again
Ashton Agar has been picked by Australia when the tracks have offered a bit for the spinners. While Mitchell Starc is still the frontrunner to feature against India ahead of Agar, the Aussies might want to consider playing the left-arm spinner instead.
Despite the fact that India have four southpaws in their top eight, they have four right-handers who aren't great against left-arm spinners. Even among the left-handers, Pant and Ravindra Jadeja aren't known for their spin-hitting prowess in the shortest format.
Starc has been rather inconsistent, and Kohli could take a liking to the speedstar if he's off the mark in the powerplay. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have done better than the left-armer and could be picked ahead of him, although he does have the tendency to show up when the stakes are high.
#1 Australia must put pressure on Arshdeep Singh in the powerplay
Arshdeep Singh is currently operating in a three-man pace attack, with Kuldeep Yadav having replaced Mohammed Siraj. The same is likely to continue on Monday since India seemingly prioritize batting depth over pace-bowling options.
Australia will need to target Arshdeep, whose lines and lengths haven't been on the mark in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He is the Men in Blue's leading wicket-taker and has been dangerous when there's been swing on offer, but he has also lost his radar on more than one occasion.
If Travis Head, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh can attack Arshdeep in the powerplay and hit him out of the attack, Rohit Sharma might be forced to turn to his spinners in the powerplay. And that's just what Australia, with two lefties at the top, will want.