The match that could decide the fate of India is here.
It is a must-win game for India. A loss would ensure their exit from the Champions Trophy. Up against an upbeat Australia, India would be looking to leave behind the loss to Pakistan and start afresh.
The pitch looks a belter with little support for the pacers. Australia got the better off the toss and elected to bat. India have made two changes bringing in Amit Mishra and Praveen Kumar replacing Yusuf Pathan and RP Singh respectively.
Ashish Nehra gave India the start it needed. After bowling a maiden in the opening over, he drew first blood for India by dismissing Shane Watson in his second over. Keeping a stiff line, Nehra forced Watson into a mistake and got the top edge. Australia were 3/1.
After the early setback, the pair of Ponting and Paine took the Australia innings forward. Both batsmen quickly adjusted to the pitch and started gathering quick runs.
Ishant Sharma suffered the most at the hands of the batsmen, giving away 16 runs in his opening over, including consecutive boundaries and a huge six. Australia were 49/1 after 10 overs.
Tim Paine was the more aggressive between the two batsmen as he put the Indian attack to the sword and got the run flowing. He also reached his 50 in the process.
{{/usCountry}}Tim Paine was the more aggressive between the two batsmen as he put the Indian attack to the sword and got the run flowing. He also reached his 50 in the process.
{{/usCountry}}It was Amit Mishra who got the breakthrough for India as he removed the set Paine. The Australian batsman went for an ambitious sweep, only to get a top edge and was caught at mid-wicket. The new man in was Michael Hussey. Australia were 105/2 after 20 overs.
Heavy rains have called off the match. It all now boils down to Wednesday, where Australia should lose to Pakistan and India beat West Indies. A win for Australia would knockout India
Teams:
India: G Gambhir, SR Tendulkar, R Dravid, SK Raina, MS Dhoni*†, V Kohli, A Mishra, Harbhajan Singh, A Nehra, I Sharma, P Kumar
Australia: SR Watson, TD Paine†, RT Ponting*, MEK Hussey, CJ Ferguson, CL White, JR Hopes, MG Johnson, B Lee, NM Hauritz, PM Siddle