India enter T20 World Cup semifinals with 24-run win over Australia

India enter T20 World Cup semifinals with 24-run win over Australia

Gros Islet (Saint Lucia): India rode on skipper Rohit Sharma’s scintillating 41-ball 92 to beat Australia by 24 runs in their final Super Eights fixture and qualify for the semifinals of the T20 World Cup here on Monday.

Batting first, Rohit fired on all cylinders and struck as many as eight sixes and seven fours during his sparkling knock, which powered India to an imposing 205 for five.

In reply, Australia were restricted to 181 for seven in the stipulated 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored for Australia with 76 off 43 balls.

Among Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) performed brilliantly in the middle overs, while Arshdeep Singh ended with figures of 3/37.

Earlier, unperturbed by Virat Kohli’s early dismissal, Rohit went after pacer Mitchell Starc and bludgeoned him for 29 runs in his second over, setting the tone for India.

Starc, who was taken to the cleaners by Rohit, returned to dismiss the India captain and give some relief to the Australian camp.

But Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 16 balls) and Shivam Dube (28 off 22) kept up the tempo with their big hits before Hardik Pandya (27 off 17) finished the India innings in style.

Brief scores:

India: 205/5 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 92; Josh Hazlewood 1/14).

Australia: 181/7 in 20 overs (Travis Head 76; Kuldeep Yadav 2/24, Arshdeep Singh 3/37).