TOP ORDER ON SONG
If you remove India’s matches against Australia from the equation then is India’s success percentage at the venue. They have won 4 and lost just 2 out of the 6 they have played against other teams. is the success percentage against Australia at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground. They have won 5 and lost 8 against the hosts here. India’s top-order batsmen have a hang of this venue as proven by the two ODIs they have played here this season – against England in the tri-series and South Africa in the league stage
SHIKHAR DHAWAN (2, 137) His match-winning innings against South Africa was the highlight of the league stage. Melbourne is Dhawan’s second home as he lives here with his family.
ROHIT SHARMA
(138, 0)
While the opener may be struggling for runs in the World Cup, he has not looked out of form. He scored an impressive ton here against
England in the tri-series.
IND WON
AJINKYA RAHANE
(12, 79)
The middle-order batsman hammered the Proteas at the venue, his 79 off 60 balls being the game-changer. Win, L: Lost) L INDIA 1/7
VIRAT KOHLI
(9, 46)
India’s leading batsman and vice-captain hasn’t got going here but his 46 against South Africa helped set up a platform. He had smashed a ton in the
Test match here. This is an old strip and should be slightly slow but flat.
Some showers are forecast for later in the day. But I can’t say I didn’t enjoy yesterday’s game, that atmosphere was electric!!! This WC is alive!
DALE STEYN after the loss to India in the February 22 match at MCG
are incredible... The colour and noise at the MCG is a picture...
MICHAEL VAUGHAN on that India-SA game at MCG
Cricket World Cup 2015 have been outstanding and very supportive, and we look forward to similar encouragement when the Melbourne quarter-final takes place…. I will encourage people to fill the MCG. MS DHONI wants the crowd to act as the 12th man
large crowds before but I think this will be different in the sense that the majority will be supporting the other team. However, this will be an occasion to treasure for the fans
SHAKIB AL HASAN, Bangladesh all-rounder realises what he is up against as this isn’t Eden Gardens where he gets support as a KKR player
will come to the ground and most of them will be Indian supporters, but as a professional cricketer I have to concentrate on cricket so have to handle it.
Obviously, Bangladesh supporters will be there so we cannot ask for equal but we’ll be fine.
MASHRAFE MORTAZA, Bangladesh captain puts up a brave face despite knowing his countrymen will be outnumbered During the SA-SL game, the TV commentators made an interesting observation — tickets for the MCG game aren’t sold out. You know why Dhoni is pleading with fans to fill MCG!