With a superb 5-wicket victory, India has ensured a semi-final encounter with arch-rivals Pakistan in the ongoing World Cup Cricket 2011. Excellent all-round performance from Yuvraj Singh guided India towards the victory which has brought an end to four-time world champion Australia’s current campaign. So, it is pretty much clear that cricket world is going to see a new world champions this year.
Winning the toss, Austrlaian captain Ricky Ponting decided to bat first. The Aussies had a good start to the match thanks to very good batting display from captain Ponting and Brad Haddin. Ponting secured his 30th ODI and 5th World Cup century on his way to play an excellent innings of 104 off 118 balls.
Haddin scored 53, but Clarke, Mike Hussey and White did not big score. In the end, David Hussey’s unbeaten 38 off just 26 balls helped Australia put a respectable total of 260 runs on the board. Ashwin, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh got 2 wickets each for India.
In reply, India lost Sehwag’s wicket early, but Tendulkar and Gambhir kept India on course. Tendulkar got out after scoring 53 runs off 68 balls and on the way became the first member of 18,000 runs club in ODI cricket. Gambhir was playing very well, but upon reaching his half-century the left-hander unfortunately lost his wicket in a mix up with Yuvraj while attempting to take a risky single. Dhoni also got out after scoring 24, leaving Yuvraj and Raina under pressure.
However, the two left-handers did not disappoint their captain guiding India towards the victory with 5 wickets and 14 balls left in hand. Yuvraj remained not out at 57 off 65 balls, while Raina played an unbeaten innings of 34 off just 28 balls. Yuvraj Singh was adjudged man of the match for his match winning performance.
India would now face arch-rival Pakistan in the second semi-final of the tournament on April 30, 2011 at Mohali.
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