Former Australian left-arm spinner Brad Hogg is expecting an India vs Australia final in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 after both teams qualified for the Super eights.
Notably, Australia became the second team to advance to the next stage of the tournament after South Africa by beating Namibia. On the other hand, India became the third team to seal their berth in the next stage with a third consecutive win of the tournament against the USA.
The two teams are all set to clash against each other on Monday, June 24 at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia. The two teams will be put in Super 8s Group 1 alongside Afghanistan and either one of Bangladesh or Nepal. Ahead of their Super 8s fixture, Hogg predicted both teams to finish on the top two in their group and qualify for the semi-finals and eventually lock horns in the final.
“In the Super 8s, Australia and India have got Bangladesh (yet to qualify) and Afghanistan and you expect both teams to beat Afghanistan and Bangladesh and move through to the semi-finals, hopefully, that does happen. It sets it up for the possibility of Australia and India in a grand final which I’d absolutely love to happen,” said Hogg on Star Sports.
Further speaking ahead, the 53-year-old picked Australia as favourites for the Super Eights clash between the two teams as they’ve been already playing in the West Indies. However, the former wrist spinner also mentioned that the contest will be even between the two teams if they meet again in the final.
Hogg picks Australia as favourites over India in Super Eights
“But I think that first game between Australia and India in the super eights, the advantage would have to be to Australia because they’ve been playing in the West Indies where it’s been difficult, it’s been slow. Whereas the Indian team has been playing in New York where there’s been some seam movement, the batters haven’t been able to get their rhythm and also they’re coming from IPL where they were playing on a lot of flat wickets,” said Hogg.
“So the adjustment is huge down there, that short turnaround, I think it’s going to be tough for India in the Super Eights. But it will be a different story when they get to the final, the contest will be a lot more even there because India would’ve been used to the conditions,” he added.
Notably, Australia and India met each other in the final of the last two ICC events in 2023 namely the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup. On both occasions, Australia emerged victorious handing India crushing defeats in the summit clash. The Men in Blue will be desperate to avenge their losses if the two teams meet yet again in the big clash.
Meanwhile, India will take on Canada in their last Group A clash on Saturday, June 15 while Australia will take on Scotland on June 16 in their last Group fixture.