After many warm up matches the heat of T20 World Cup starts today
By Kersi Meher-Homji
Get ready to stay late nights and early mornings to watch the Cricket World Twenty20 on TV from today onwards.
We saw many preliminary matches and warm up clashes. Now starts the REAL Twenty20 World Cup in United Arab Emirates. Tonight Australia takes on South Africa at Abu Dhabi followed by England wrestling with New Zealand at Dubai.
The readers of e-The Indian Down Under will be more interested in the war-like encounter between India and Pakistan starting Monday morning at 1.00 am, Sydney time.
India performed sensationally in the warm up matches against strong teams England and Australia a few days ago.
On Monday the 18th October, India thrashed England by seven wickets. In reply to England’s 5 for 188 (Jonny Bairstow 49, Mohammad Shami 3 for 40) in 20 overs, India replied with 3 for 192 in 19 overs. Opening batsmen Lokesh Rahul (51 runs with 6 fours and 3 sixes) and youngster Ishan Kishan (70 with 7 fours and 3 sixes) added 82 runs.
India triumphed easily with an over to spare.
On Wednesday the 20th, India annihilated Australia by eight wickets. Australia started poorly losing 3 wickets for 11 runs. Steve Smith came to their rescue scoring 57 with seven fours as Australia amassed 5 for 152 in 20 overs.
India chased this target easily, Rahul continued from where he had left off two days ago by hitting 39 with 2 fours and three sixes, He added 68 runs with Rohit Sharma (60 runs with 5 fours and 3 sixes). Rohit retired to give other players batting practice. Young Suryakumar Yadav then joined the hitters registering an unbeaten 38 with 5 fours and a six.
India won by 8 wickets with 13 balls remaining.
Well begun, India’s mighty men! Hope they continue in the same positive manner against Pakistan on early Monday morning and then against New Zealand on 1st November.
The semi-finals will be played on 10th and 12th November and the FINAL on 15th November.
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