Desert storm to Steve Smith revenge: Six memorable India-Australia ODI matches | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: India, unbeaten throughout the tournament, will face the five-time champions Australia in the World Cup final in Ahmedabad, hosted in the world’s largest cricket stadium, on Sunday.
Here’s a look at six unforgettable encounters between the two powerhouses of cricket.
1.)Sachin Tendulkar showcased his brilliance against Australia in Sharjah with a remarkable innings etched in history.The legendary batsman crafted a magnificent 143 off 131 balls, dismantling the Australian bowling attack, which featured the likes of Damien Fleming, Michael Kasprowicz, and spin maestro Shane Warne.A sandstorm interrupted play, suspending the game for nearly half an hour. After the disruption, India’s revised target stood at 276, with 235 needed to secure a spot in the final of the three-nation tournament.

Although India fell short of the revised target, Tendulkar’s masterful performance ensured their qualification for the tournament decider on net run rate, edging out New Zealand, the third team in the competition.
In the subsequent final against Australia, held two days later, India emerged victorious with Tendulkar once again shining with a century to secure the win.

2.) Captain Ricky Ponting led Australia to a dominant victory in the World Cup final in Johannesburg, securing their third title following triumphs in 1987 and 1999, with a resounding 125-run win over India.
Ponting’s unbeaten 140 anchored Australia’s imposing total of 359-2 after an explosive start by openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who notched up 105 runs within 14 overs.
Partnering with Damien Martyn (88), Ponting forged an unyielding 234-run partnership, relentlessly attacking the Indian bowling lineup. Even the lead pacer Zaheer Khan conceded 67 runs in his seven overs.

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India’s batting lineup struggled and succumbed to being all out for 234 in 39.2 overs, with Glenn McGrath securing three crucial wickets.
Despite India’s defeat, Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliance persisted against Australia, as evidenced by his stunning 175-run innings, albeit in a losing effort in Hyderabad.
3.) Australia, captained by Ricky Ponting, set a colossal total of 350-4 fueled by substantial innings from Shaun Marsh (112) and Shane Watson (93). However, their bowling lineup struggled against Tendulkar’s relentless assault.
Despite Tendulkar’s sensational 141-ball innings and Suresh Raina’s contributing 59 runs, the remaining Indian batting order faltered, leading to India narrowly missing the target in the chase by just three runs.

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“It was one of the amazing games and certainly one of the best innings ever from Sachin,” Ponting said afterwards.
4.) In the 2011 World Cup quarter-final hosted in India, the clash between India and Australia culminated in the hosts triumphing in the knockout stage, despite Ricky Ponting’s impressive 104.
In pursuit of 261 for victory in Ahmedabad, India found stability through half-centuries by Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir. Yuvraj Singh then steered the chase with an unbeaten 57, anchoring the team to victory.

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This pivotal win provided India with momentum, propelling them to triumph over Pakistan in the semi-final and subsequently clinch a victory against Sri Lanka in the final, securing their second World Cup title since 1983.
Man of the match Yuvraj said the pressure of playing against Australia “was something else”.
5.) At Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Virat Kohli’s outstanding performance shone brightly as he hammered an unbeaten 100 from just 52 balls in a high-scoring spectacle.
India’s top-order batsmen dominated the Australian bowling attack during their chase of 360, led by Rohit Sharma’s commanding 141 not out. Rohit partnered effectively with opener Shikhar Dhawan, who contributed 95 runs, building a formidable 176-run partnership.

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Kohli stole the limelight with a remarkable display, smashing eight boundaries and seven sixes, dismantling the opposition’s bowling lineup led by Mitchell Johnson.
Following the match, Australian skipper George Bailey, who currently serves as Australia’s chief selector, lauded India’s “remarkable batting display,” which overshadowed his own unbeaten 92 in the game.
6.) Four years after their defeat to India in 2011, Australia sought redemption in Sydney, delivering a resounding blow to MS Dhoni’s team with a commanding 95-run victory in the World Cup semi-final, powered by a magnificent century from Steve Smith.
Smith’s brilliant 105 off 93 balls propelled Australia to a formidable total of 328-7 after skipper Michael Clarke opted to bat first.

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The target proved insurmountable as the Indian batting lineup faltered, managing only 233 all out despite a resilient 65 from MS Dhoni.
James Faulkner showcased his prowess, claiming three crucial wickets, while pace bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc contributed with two dismissals each.
Subsequently, Australia continued their dominance by convincingly defeating New Zealand in the final, securing their unprecedented fifth World Cup title.