At Mohali, October 29, 2006 (day/night). Australia won by six wickets. Australia 2 pts. Toss:
India.
The state of the group meant that the winner of this match would advance to the semi-finals,
and Australia duly overwhelmed India with a superb batting performance on a pitch where the
bounce and carry was similar to the surfaces in Australia. Set a fairly stiff target, they romped
home with 26 balls to spare, with Martyn producing another assured performance. Much of the
damage was done earlier, though, with Gilchrist and experimental opener Watson caning a wayward
pace attack. Watson carried on to a superb 50, and Ponting chipped in with a crisp half-century
of his own as the bowlers were treated with scant respect. Australia had been much more impressive,
bowling tight lines at good pace to frustrate the batsmen. Sehwag made a restrained 65, and there
was an attractive half-century from Dravid, but the failure of either to press on meant that there
was no late surge. McGrath again outwitted Tendulkar in a big game, and the wickets were shared
around as India limped out of the tournament a full week before the final.
Man of the Match: D. R. Martyn.