Team India seems to have more than a decent preparation ahead of their T20 World Cup 2021 campaign as they registered a convincing nine-wicket win over Australia in their final warm-up match in Dubai on Wednesday. Australia batsman Steve Smith, who top-scored for his side with a crafty 48-ball 57, has considered India as a favorite to win the T20 World Cup.
Talking to the reporters after the match, Steve Smith said, “They’re a terrific side, they’ve got all bases covered and some serious match-winners. They’ve all been playing in these conditions the last couple of months with the Indian Premier League (IPL). So they’ll be used to that.”
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Smith scored a half-century to help Australia manage to reach a competitive score of 152 for five in the tuneup in Dubai but India’s batsmen managed to chase it down the total with 13 balls to spare to win by eight wickets. Rohit Sharma (60 retired off 41) showed sublime touch alongside the opener, Rahul (39 off 31) as India chased down Australia’s 152 for five in 17.5 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav (38 not out off 27) came at number three in Kohli’s absence and played an invaluable knock which will boost his confidence going ahead. Hardik Pandya (14 not out off 8) came at four to finish the game and he did it with a clean hit over the bowler’s head.
The form of David Warner has been a huge matter of concern for Australia after the opener was trapped lbw by Ravichandran Ashwin for one. Warner, who was dropped by IPL team SunRisers Hyderabad after back-to-back failures with the bat, has managed only three runs from his last four innings.
However, Steve Smith was glad to get runs under his belt as he did;t get to play much for Delhi Capitals on the IPL’s resumption in the Middle East. He said, “I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball really well. I haven’t played too many games in the IPL but I’ve spent a lot of time in the nets, working on things and getting used to conditions.”
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Australia will be locking horns with South Africa in their World Cup opener in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. India and Pakistan will be facing each other in their World Cup opener in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
