Riding high on a string of fantastic performances, Team India will look to dazzle once again as they lock horns with Australia in their last Super 8 game of the T20 World Cup 2024 on 24th June at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet.

With the 𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 19𝘵𝘩 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2023 still haunting India, the Men in Blue will be eager to get the better of the Aussies this time.

Both teams remained unbeaten through the group stage. While India continued their unbeaten run into the Super 8, Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan pulled a magical performance to defeat the Aussies yesterday, making the upcoming fixture a must-win match for the 2021 champions.

Talking about the shortest format of the game, the two sides have faced each other on 31 occasions, with the Men in Blue emerging victorious 19 times. While the Aussies have won in 11 instances, one match concluded with no result.

Out of these 31 encounters, five happened in the T20 World Cup, with India edging ahead 3-2 in the head-to-head meetings. 

Let’s walk down memory lane and recollect how the two teams have fared against each other in the tournament’s history.

Clash #1: Semi-final, 2007.
Result: India won by 15 runs.

The first-ever T20 fixture between the two heavyweights took place in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2007.

Opting to bat first, the MS Dhoni-led side posted a challenging total of 188/5 featuring Yuvraj Singh’s 30-ball 70, fueled with five fours and sixes apiece.

In reply, Australia came close to winning the contest, with opener Matthew Hayden (62 off 47) and Andrew Symonds (43 off 26) almost taking them over the line. 

22 needed off the final over. Enter Joginder Sharma and his bowling masterclass. 

The right-arm pacer struck twice while giving away only six runs as India won by 15 runs to enter the final, eventually winning it to become the inaugural champions of the tournament.

Clash #2 - Super 8, 2010.

Result: Australia won by 49 runs.

India elected to field first. The Michael Clarke-captained side scored 184/5, with both openers David Warner and Shane Watson registering half-centuries. 

Chasing a target of 185, none of the Indian batters could apply themselves against the Aussie bowling attack, barring Rohit Sharma, who put up a strong fight scoring an unbeaten 79 off 46 balls. Unfortunately, India were bowled out for 135 as the Aussies won by 49 runs.

Clash #3 - Super 8, 2012.

Result: Australia won by 9 wickets.

This match-up proved to be a rather one-sided affair right from the beginning of the match as George Bailey and co. didn’t let any Indian batters free their arms, ultimately restricting them to 140/7. 

Thereafter, Aussie openers Shane Watson and David Warner came out all guns blazing, recording quick-fire 50s to guide their side to a resounding nine-wicket victory within 14.5 overs.

Clash #4 - Super 10, 2014.

Result: India won by 73 runs.

It was time to avenge the twin defeats and the Indian team was raring to give it back.

With one foot in the semi-final, India took the field against Australia in their last Group 2 game. Put in to bat first, Yuvraj Singh’s 43-ball 60 helped India reach 159/7 in 20 overs. In reply, a terrific bowling performance led by R Ashwin’s 4/11 bundled Australia out for 86, winning the match by 73 runs.

Clash #5 - Super 10, 2016.

Result: India won by 6 wickets.

India squared off against Australia in a do-or-die situation in the Super 10 stage of the 2016 edition, with the winner assured of a semi-final spot.

With a total of 160 in sight, both Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were dismissed cheaply in the powerplay. Subsequently, Virat Kohli’s cracking 51-ball 82* coupled with handy contributions from the middle order powered India to a six-wicket win, eliminating the Aussies in the process.

Clash #6 - Super 8, 2024.

Result: Awaited.

Eight years on since their last T20 World Cup meeting, the two teams clash again in the Caribbean.   

Can India extend their winning run and push Australia on the brink of elimination? Or will the Mitchell Marsh-led side win this do-or-die contest to remain alive in the competition? 

Only time will tell!