By IANS,
Colombo: Shane Watson and David Warner struck India hard as Australia won their Super Eights match by nine wickets in the World Twenty20 at the R. Premedasa Stadium here Friday.
Watson (72) and Warner (63 not out) were involved in a massive 133-run opening stand that helped Australia reach the target of 141 with nine wickets in hand in just 14.5 overs. Watson, who bagged three for 34, was also adjudged the Man of the Match.
Opting to bat first, Indian batsmen were restricted to 140 for seven in 20 overs by a top class Australian bowling attack.
India, who dropped Virender Sehwag, made a good start with Gautam Gambhir (17) and Irfan Pathan (31). But it was against the run of play that Australia got their first wicket after Gambhir was run out by Mitchel Starc of his own bowling while attempting for a needless single.
From there on, it was a tale of struggle by the Indian batsmen and half the side was back in the pavilion by the 12th over, struggling at 74 for five.
Suresh Raina (26), skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (15) and Ravichandran Ashwin (16) got some valuable runs at the end as India managed a respectable total.
It was a tough total for India to defend. They went in with five bowlers and used eight in less than five overs.
Watson and Warner smashed the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground as Dhoni ran out of ideas. Watson dealt only in sixes, hitting seven, and two fours in his 42-ball innings.
Warner ably supported Watson but also left his stamp. The diminutive south Australian hit three sixes and seven fours in his 41-ball unbeaten knock.