Sydney: India’s World Cup dreams crashed as they were inflicted a 95-run defeat by Australia in their World Cup semifinal in Sydney. Australia will meet fellow co-hosts New Zealand in Sunday’s final in Melbourne.
Steve Smith struck a fluent 105 from 93 balls and Aaron Finch 81 as Australia posted 328-7, the highest score in a World Cup semi-final. India made a solid start to their reply but lost four wickets for 32 runs and fell well short on 233 despite captain MS Dhoni making 65.
They will do so looking for their fifth World Cup crown – no other team has more than two – and on the back of a seventh semi-final win in as many attempts. For India, the defence of the trophy they won on home soil four years ago and a run of 16 consecutive wins in major one-day tournaments – the World Cup and Champions Trophy – are over.
India lose by 95 runs, perhaps a little too heavily for most Indian fans. But Australia have just outplayed India today 233 all out. Australia have won convincingly. They batted extremely well to score 328 against an Indian attack that bowled reasonably well. Then Dhawan got going, but Australia turned the match around in about 13 overs through four wickets.
India will rue some poor shots – Rohit, Raina, and some players out of form who went unnoticed in the juggernaut towards the semis – Kohli, Rahane. Really, after Raina was out it was about either a miracle innings or delaying the inevitable. New Zealand awaits Australia in Melbourne on Sunday, and it will not be easy for them on the huge Australian ground. It should be a brilliant match. Steven Smith is the man of the match for his 105.
Bureau Report
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