ICC Cricket World Cup: Why beating Australia is a big deal for India in a cricket World Cup
FOR MUCH of the World Cup history, Australia have broken India’s hearts. A one-run defeat here in 1987, thrashings in the 2003 final and 2015 semifinal, hammering in the super-six game in 1999, the five-time world champions has been India’s biggest stumbling block in the prized tournament. But with a comprehensive exhibition of spin bowling and gritty batting from K L Rahul and Virat Kohli, India got off the blocks in the World Cup, beating Australia by six wickets.The importance of winning the opening match could not be over-emphasized, more so against record champions Australia, who incidentally had not lost a World Cup opening match this century.
The win was also a vindication of India’s tactics and selection policies too — R Ashwin, a late but valuable addition to the team, produced...