Australia Mulls Bowling Strategy Change Against India In T20 World Cup Showdown

IND vs AUS: Australia found themselves in a challenging position after losing their second Super 8 match against Afghanistan by 21 runs in St Vincent on Sunday. This defeat has complicated their path to the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final.

Australia no longer controls their destiny and must secure a comprehensive win against India in St Lucia on Monday to keep their hopes alive. A victory would bring them to four points. India, with four points from two matches, currently holds the best Net Run Rate (NRR) ahead of their third and final Super 8 match at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.

If Bangladesh defeats Afghanistan in their last Super 8 match, they will also reach four points, making NRR a crucial factor. Afghanistan's negative NRR (-0.650) contrasts with India's positive NRR of 2.425 and Australia's 0.223.

A win against India would provide Australia with much-needed relief, and they aim to field their strongest team in St Lucia, where the pitch played slow in the previous game between South Africa and England.

India has historically struggled against left-arm pace, and Australia plans to deploy Mitchell Starc once again. Starc boasts an impressive record against India across formats, with 30 wickets from 19 ODI matches and five wickets in four T20Is at an economy rate of 7.68 and an average of 24.60.

In the ODI World Cup 2023 final, Starc recorded figures of 3/55, taking crucial wickets of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul, which helped Australia restrict India to just 240 runs.

Left-arm pace also troubled India in their match against the USA when Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Starc's experience and big-match temperament could be pivotal for Australia on Monday.

Australia faces a tough selection decision to include Mitchell Starc in the playing XI. Either Josh Hazlewood or Ashton Agar will need to be dropped.

Hazlewood is Australia's top-ranked ICC bowler and has been their best pacer over the years. However, Agar was exceptional against Afghanistan, conceding just 17 runs from four overs while opening the bowling.

The St Lucia pitch has favoured spinners, as seen with Adil Rashid and Keshav Maharaj's effectiveness in the previous game at the venue. This might influence Australia's decision to retain Agar.

Hazlewood, on the other hand, conceded 39 runs without taking a wicket against Afghanistan, making him Australia's most expensive bowler in that match. Pat Cummins has taken back-to-back hat-tricks, and Adam Zampa remains Australia's first-choice spinner.

It is likely that Josh Hazlewood will be dropped to accommodate Mitchell Starc against India.