It’s a big one - Australia vs India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. India went into the match brimming with confidence having won seven consecutive matches in the World Cup.
Australia on the other hand had never lost a World Cup semi-final and they won their last 12 completed ODIs on home soil. Of the 14 meetings between these teams at the SCG, India won just once and lost 12 with one ending in no result.
The toss was important and Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat. Both teams went unchanged.
People were nervous on Twitter with the toss approaching and here’s how they reacted before and after the toss.
That moment anxious for toss
— JAMES (@ImJames_) March 26, 2015
#IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/63SQ1sEOj0
Ideally Ind should win the toss and bat first. But you can't control the toss,can u??:) #CWC2015
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 26, 2015
Australia win the toss and tell Dhoni to finish it in the 50th over
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
So Dhoni has lost the toss and decided to end the match by hitting a SIX!#IndvsAus
— Sunil (@annachaukanna) March 26, 2015
"It's a really big toss to win." - @ShaneWarne on batting first! #AUSvIND #CWC15 #WWOS pic.twitter.com/JiIRTBoCRR
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) March 26, 2015
9 of the last 12 games at the SCG have been won by the team batting 2nd...!!! Ripping that stat up..Great toss for the Aussies to have Won
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 26, 2015
2011, World Cup Quarter-Final India lost the toss too. #PostiveTweet #IndvsAus
— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) March 26, 2015
India struck early as Umesh Yadav had David Warner caught at mid off for 12 in the fourth over and the Indian fans were ecstatic.
David Warner just received the first instalment of his #IPL salary #INDvAUS #CWC15
— Cricket Gandu (@CricketGandu) March 26, 2015
Warner, wanna sledge us some more?#AusvInd #Aus #Ind #CWC15
— Sonali Dhulap (@pillya) March 26, 2015
If you take out that 178 v Afghanistan Dave Warner has had a pretty ordinary tournament
— Sports Freak (@Sportsfreakconz) March 26, 2015
Aus have scored 180 runs at 25.71 for the 1st wkt in this WC. They've had only 1 other WC where the 1st wkt partnership averaged less.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 26, 2015
Umesh Yadav for next Bihar CM. #IndvsAus
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 🏹 (@RoflGandhi_) March 26, 2015
Warner is back. His job now - practicing sledging:
— Jalandar (@jalandar_) March 26, 2015
No hindi , speak english
No tamil, speak english
No marathi, speak english
Steven Smith hit Umesh Yadav for four fours in the 10th over. Umesh was too short and Smith punished him with his accurate pulls.
Yadav showing what he is beat at. Spraying.
— Neil (@JungleKaMangal) March 26, 2015
Smith loves short-pitched deliveries, Smith loves full length deliveries, Smith loves Indian bowing...
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 26, 2015
Ind would like2see the back of Smith.He has been the tormentor for Ind right through the Aus summer & is again looking v.good today #CWC15
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 26, 2015
Umesh. You're not Wahab. Please stop.
— Jazz (@Jazz_CB) March 26, 2015
And then, MS Dhoni bamboozled everyone by bringing in Virat Kohli to bowl int he 12th over.
Yet again Dhoni proves his leadership and he knows no Indian guy will under perform when his Girl is watching hence He gave Bowling to Kohli
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 26, 2015
Funky Dhoni. Bringing in Virat was one of the rare times he's tried to force a wicket.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
So Kohli comes after Sharma. Win for Kohli. ;)
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 26, 2015
MS Dhoni If you are out of bowlers, I am much better option then Virat kohli !
— Hari Om Tyagi (@Hari0013) March 26, 2015
Ravindra Jadeja came on to bowl in the 14th over and people were amused with his new hairstyle!
Can we take a minute and talk about this look? #Jadeja #IndvsAus @ByTheMinCricket pic.twitter.com/FCsiXZRZOM
— Nikita (@kryptobanana) March 26, 2015
Harsha Bhogle on Jadeja's hairstyle: "Halfway through the haircut maybe he realized it'll look embarrassing". #IndvsAus #IndiaJeetega
— vikram (@vikram_gupta) March 26, 2015
One need to look at the face uplifting of sir jadeja ... With new hairstyle & beard ...he needs to lift his cricketing skill today too .!
— Ashish Patel, CMT (@ashish_tn) March 26, 2015
"Over the wicket and around the wicket..? ok let me shave both side."
— Jalandar (@jalandar_) March 26, 2015
- How Jadeja's hairstyle happened.
Delhi PWD has cut Jadeja's hair?
— Sidin (@sidin) March 26, 2015
Jadeja's economy must be really good, because he's got a budget cut
— krtgrphr (@krtgrphr) March 26, 2015
Steven Smith then got to his fifty off 53 balls. He came in at a difficult situation and steadied the ship with some beautiful shots.
Smith's golden Indian summer continues - His scores right through: 162*, 52*, 133, 28, 192, 14, 117, 71, 47, 50 batting #CWC15 #INDvAUS
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 26, 2015
Smith. India. Repeat. #AUSvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 26, 2015
.@stevesmith49 is the 2nd Australian to reach 50 in 4 consecutive WC inns after David Boon (1987-1992). #CWC15
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 26, 2015
Finch hadn’t looked at his best throughout the innings and after a close LBW appeal where India lost the review, he survived a close run out call too. He then reached his fifty off 82 balls. Shane Warne had predicted that Finch will score runs today.
India use their review without success, Finch survives but just. 124/1 after 24. Follow at http://t.co/5KZtwXAjJW pic.twitter.com/NYq7lDYXkL
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 26, 2015
51 out off Finch's 86 balls are dots. 52 off 87 now. Those are Shehzadian numbers.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
I think Finch went to Siddhivinayak in the morning !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 26, 2015
#IND Keys To Success: Keep Finch on strike.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
Smith then got to his century off just 89 balls with a six and a four off Shami. Even as Finch was struggling, Smith made sure he kept the scoreboard ticking. A brilliant innings from him.
.@stevesmith49 looks ominous, reminiscent of Ricky Ponting in #CWC03 final. Wonderful innings. 350 on the cards. Maybe more. #CWC15 #AUSvIND
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) March 26, 2015
GharWapasi
— Amit (@ArbitAmit) March 26, 2015
Thats the first shot in anger Smith has played. Somehow would hve prefered to see him get to his 100 without taking a single risk
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) March 26, 2015
Steven Smith 100 in 89 balls 2nd fastest vs India in WC after the 84 ball 100 by Mahela Jayawardene at Mumbai WC 2011 final#BingPredicts
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 26, 2015
BCCI should simply ban Steve Smith from playing against India.
— ADM (@jhunjhunwala) March 26, 2015
Steve Smith Strong Zone!! pic.twitter.com/CMUarBu3sY
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 26, 2015
Dhoni then brought Umesh Yadav back into the attack and he struck with his first ball on his comeback spell as he had Smith (105 off 93 balls) caught at deep mid-wicket off a slower short ball.
Steven Smith gone! Indian bowlers will be massively relieved... till they see the new batsman is Maxwell http://t.co/6fkq5izU4d #CWC15
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 26, 2015
Saluting the crowd, now Maxwell... #cwc15 #ausvind pic.twitter.com/r5B3hPtsB9
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 26, 2015
Didn't timed it as Smith would have liked. #ausvind #cwc15 #aus #ind pic.twitter.com/6ZejZIc23R
— The Silly Point (@the_sillypoint) March 26, 2015
Maxwell then went after Umesh hitting him for a couple of sixes and a four.
Warnie: "Maxwell is my favourite player to watch. No Virat. No Abdv." #cwc15 #ausvind #aus #ind
— The Silly Point (@the_sillypoint) March 26, 2015
Ganguly: I would actually buy a ticket to go watch Maxwell #IndvsAus http://t.co/L0yCycmV7T
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 26, 2015
There was much spoken about the Maxwell-Ashwin rivalry before the start of the match and it was the off-spinner who had the upper hand this time as he had Maxwell caught in the deep off the second ball bowled to him by Ashwin.
Ashwin gets his first win against Maxwell in a World cup Semi final.#IndvsAus
— Jalandar (@jalandar_) March 26, 2015
Ashwin now dismissed Maxwell twice in ODIs conceding 77 runs in 55 balls (S/r 140.00), 4s: 4, 6s: 7#BingPredicts#DimagSay#IndvsAus#CWC15
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 26, 2015
YOU PLAYED WITH THE WRONG BLOODY UPPER MIDDLE CLASS CONSERVATIVE SOUTH INDIAN BOY GLENN MAXWELL.
— Sidin (@sidin) March 26, 2015
Glenn Maxwell weak-zone: @ShaneWarne in the commentary.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
When Maxwell bumps into Ashwin at the hotel reception pic.twitter.com/5taOKYYlNB
— Joel D'cruz (@joel_dcruz28) March 26, 2015
Soon, Umesh Yadav had Finch caught at mid-wicket off a short ball.
Strike Rate of 69. Consumed 115 deliveries.#ThankYouFinch
— Vipul (@Sporty_Baba) March 26, 2015
Finally, Finch, finally.
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) March 26, 2015
Oho, is ko tou out hi nahi kerna tha. Dhoni cursing dhawan now for catching that.
BREAKING: Akhilesh Yadav announces 24 hours electricity to Umesh Yadav's locality.
— The UnReal Times (@TheUnRealTimes) March 26, 2015
In other news, an adjacent locality goes dark #IndvsAus
This Finch innings was like watching Johnny Lever in a serious role.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
Michael Clarke too didn’t last long as Mohit had him caught at mid-wicket off a short ball.
Hahaha. What a hopeless one day player. And to think Clarke kept George Bailey out of this team. #AusvInd #CWC15
— cricBC (@cricBC) March 26, 2015
Time to consider your spot if you can't even pull someone of Mohit Sharma's pace :P
— MV (@mahektetweet) March 26, 2015
If we had to sum up Clarkey's innings in a hairdo, it would be this #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8zyU9hdhXT
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) March 26, 2015
Just when Watson was looking threatening with a couple of fours off Mohit, the latter removed him with a slower delivery.
Indian bowlers currently #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/eQza7ciEVs
— Priyal (@priyal) March 26, 2015
Mohit Sharma reminds 1 of Ajit Agarkar...does pick wickets, but at a price..spread the field, caught on boundary off mistimed shot. #Typical
— False-Number10 (@h_m_n_t_X) March 26, 2015
Rahane took Rahat Ali's catch
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
There is a lot to admire in the way India have fought to stay in the game
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 26, 2015
Just when it looked Indian had pulled it back, Mitchell Johnson went berserk and hit 27 off 9 balls with four fours and one six to power Australia to 328/7. Virat Kohli dropped Haddin at deep mid-wicket in the last over.
Johnson batting like he remembers how Dilshan played him here.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) March 26, 2015
Two Johnsons are medicine. One Johnson is just a pain. #CWC15
— Samit Basu (@samitbasu) March 26, 2015
Warner enjoyed that dropped catch by Kohli... http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/s9emfjfAsH
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
Kohli, you've just dropped the overused joke.
— Sean Wilson (@SimplySean_) March 26, 2015
Mitchell Johnson 27* - 4 4 4 1 2 1 4 6 1 takes Australia to 328. Can India hunt that down? http://t.co/eWb6xeG1bq #AUSvIND #CWC15
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 26, 2015
Come on India!!!!!! Great job pulling it back!!!#Ihaveagoodfeeling #AUSvIND #
— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 26, 2015
Rohit Sharma survived a scare in as early as the fourth ball of the innings as he edged one to first slip and the third umpire gave him not out as Shane Watson had grassed the ball.
NOT OUT! http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/7dmlKtiWDx
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
Ponting would have given this out by now. #AusvInd #CWC15
— cricBC (@cricBC) March 26, 2015
You just dropped the... it didn't even reach you man!
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
Shane Watson must be one of those kids at that Bihar school
— Khamba (@gkhamba) March 26, 2015
Brad Haddin then dropped Dhawan on 5, Dhawan charged down the track and looked to drive but got an outside edge, Haddin dives full length to his left but fluffed it. Looked like it was a simple catch to the first slip fielder.
DROPPED! Shikhar Dhawan gets a big lifeline. http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/eCPRWbZkHq
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
*Haddin drops*
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) March 26, 2015
Aussies : WTF !
Indians : Phew !
Akmals : Shabaash Shabaash aise hi#IndvAus
Nobody trusts Watson. First umpires, now Haddin... #IndvsAus #Semifinal
— Kallol Sarkar (@kallol_ss) March 26, 2015
Rohit then pulled Mitchell Johnson for a huge six over fine leg……..
TALENTED PULL!
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 26, 2015
When Johnson bats well, he gets plastered for six in the second ball he bowls #MarkTaylorKeyFacts
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
Rohit is like Captain tha main tera saale
— Monish (@Crownish) March 26, 2015
Rohit hooks in Hindi for six.#IndvsAus
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 26, 2015
Dhawan then went after Faulkner hitting him for a couple of fours and a six.
You sure you want me to bowl skip? #LookAtHisFace #cwc15 #ausvind pic.twitter.com/YJNlLDazRB
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 26, 2015
"Jo jeejaji bolenge wo mai karunga"
— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 26, 2015
~Aus bowlers #Dhawan
Looks like the Indian openers have identified their Umesh Yadav.
— Benny (@RealBennyMan) March 26, 2015
Hazlewood finally had Dhawan who played a poor shot and holed out to deep cover.
Needless shot. Should have stayed there and scored a match-winning hundred.
— Abhay Gupta (@Abhay00) March 26, 2015
#Pumped! Kohli joins Rohit...
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 26, 2015
LIVE: http://t.co/uIoq3MTnIT #cwc15 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/1uu4XND4ky
And then the SCG was stunned as Kohli was dismissed by Johnson. The short ball worked as Kohli got a top edge on his pull and Haddin this time managed to hold on to it.
Anushka: Virat has score just one more run than I would have under the circumstances.
— Sidin (@sidin) March 26, 2015
Bye bye RCB skipper, flopped when needed the most...
— P₹akash $inha 🇮🇳 (@Predicto_Praky) March 26, 2015
Poor Anushka
— Sukaina Ali (@sukaina_ali) March 26, 2015
Kohli does a Sachin.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) March 26, 2015
2003 - Tendulkar - McGrath
— Karunakaran (@kskarun) March 26, 2015
2015 - Kohli - Johnson
Virat Kohli's weak zone. pic.twitter.com/dg6YeEh3r5
— Fake IPL Player (@_fakeiplplayer) March 26, 2015
Possibly a bit early for tears...India's only two wickets down! http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/VIWZHaThj5
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
Not sure if Anushka was reacting to Kohli's dismissal or to NH10's box office collections #IndvsAus pic.twitter.com/WKKiKeBcrS
— VB (@i_Psycho) March 26, 2015
Johnson then got another big one as he had Rohit Sharma’s stumps shattered. Rohit had smashed him for a six the previous ball but then Johnson had his man as he brought one back in and had Rohit’s stumps rattled.
ZING!
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 26, 2015
LIVE: http://t.co/uIoq3MTnIT #cwc15 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GNP8m9obCa
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) March 26, 2015
I came to office. Never coming to office again. RT @SupraMario: Went to pee. Never peeing again.
— Pulasta Dhar (@TheFalseNo9) March 26, 2015
Are these the Achhe Din Modi promised?
— Atulya Mahajan (@amreekandesi) March 26, 2015
We might have to give it back.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) March 26, 2015
And then Starc had a couple of words to say to Raina…………
Boos ring around the SCG as Starc and Raina have a chat. http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/p2zuBc9aQR
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
Mitchell Starc tu Chepauk mein mil
— Monish (@Crownish) March 26, 2015
You only sledge when you're winning.
— Rameez (@Sychlops) March 26, 2015
Top bowling from Starc, pathetic response again. If the umpire tells you that's enough, it is.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 26, 2015
Starc won't get fined. He didn't clap.
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
Starc won't get fined. He didn't clap.
— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) March 26, 2015
The way starc is arguing with the umpire is a bad example 2 the young cricketers watching the game.Have to show respect 2 the umpires.period
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 26, 2015
Faulkner then had the wicket of Suresh Raina and this time Haddin pouched a brilliant catch to leave India reeling at 108/4. And then it started sinking in for the Indian fans that it’s too far now.
With that dismissal of Suresh Raina, most Indian fans would have given up hope. Only MSD loyalists will now believe the chase is still on
— Arun Gopalakrishnan (@statanalyst) March 26, 2015
Yes Hadds! Dhoni to the crease now...
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 26, 2015
LIVE: http://t.co/uIoq3MTnIT #cwc15 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TBIlND0VMG
Continuing from where they left off in the Tri-series -' Dab down the third man ' when there is bounce available on the track. #AUSvIND
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) March 26, 2015
Sorry India. But if James Faulkner is getting a wicket you're not really up for this
— Sports Freak (@Sportsfreakconz) March 26, 2015
Lol > “@DennisCricket_: Australia's Key to Success:#AUSvIND http://t.co/1Hjym3NknB”
— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) March 26, 2015
Rahane struggled to get going and having scored 44 off 67 balls, the Indian fans got impatient. And then he departed caught behind off Starc. The umpire at first turned down the appeal but Australia reviewed it and it turned out to be a fantastic decision as Rahane had got a faint nick.
Rahane is worse than Sanjay Bangar
— Rameez (@Sychlops) March 26, 2015
OK, so we now know Rahane is playing Finch, but who's playing Smith, Faulkner and Johnson#IndvsAus
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 26, 2015
Time to go now guys! Rahane has to press on the accelerator. Dhoni keeps rotating the strike.
— Arjun Ashok (@arj_90) March 26, 2015
Clearly Rahane was playing under too much pressure. Not playing his A game or even his natural game.
— Chintan Vora (@theunsocialguy) March 26, 2015
Rahane is a fine player, but 44 from 68 chasing 330 just isn't good enough. #CWC15
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) March 26, 2015
Clarke then dropped a tough chance of Dhoni when on 42.
Has Clarke just dropped the World Cup? #CWC15 #AUSvIND
— J (Jahan Zabe) (@rararana) March 26, 2015
Kapil Dev would have got that
— Mihir (@Sfx11) March 26, 2015
Don't know about Dhoni but Clarke will retire for sure !
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) March 26, 2015
Smith then affected a brilliant run out of Ravindra Jadeja. He couldn’t do anything wrong…………
Steve Smith - he's having a decent night. http://t.co/Wh1S4B6bnU #AUSvIND #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/JK2JaLDaAU
— CODE Cricket (@codecricketau) March 26, 2015
Smith can't do anything wrong. Scores runs for fun, takes stunning catches, makes impossible reviews and hits stumps direct #CWC15 #INDvAUS
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 26, 2015
Zinger's lights go on and India's lights go out. It's beyond even Dhoni now. #AusvInd #CWC15
— Rick Eyre (@rickeyrecricket.com on Bluesky) (@rickeyrecricket) March 26, 2015
Dhoni then cracked consecutive sixes off Watson and suddenly there was some hope among the Indian fans.
Is Dhoni making a move then?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 26, 2015
Misbah Singh Dhoni
— Sarthak Dev (@devellix) March 26, 2015
We are not winning this. Its not yet 48th over and Dhoni has started hitting sixes. #IndvsAus
— VB (@i_Psycho) March 26, 2015
And it was game, set and match for Australia as Maxwell ran out Dhoni with a brilliant direct hit………
The end of MS Dhoni in World Cups? In all ODIs? What a damp squib to end it with.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) March 26, 2015
AB would have dived, even if he needed 40 runs off three balls.
— Cricket365 (@Cricket365) March 26, 2015
You were too cool today, MSD. Not in a good way. #CWC15
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) March 26, 2015
Don't worry chaps, #IPL starts on April 8th.... #cwc15 #ausvind
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 26, 2015
Distraught. pic.twitter.com/gG4Y0mJWRP
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) March 26, 2015