Going into the weekend, Australia were unbeaten at this World Cup and realistically only one win from the semi-finals. Two defeats in less than 48 hours, starting with a first loss of any kind to Afghanistan, has left them on the brink of going out.
Whether or not any team could have stopped the inspired Rohit is debatable, but Australia were quickly reduced to a rabble. Marsh persisted with Stoinis as the fifth bowler despite the all-rounder conceding 56 from his four overs, while all of Starc, Cummins and leg-spinner Adam Zampa went for more than 40.
When Marsh dropped a simple catch off Hardik late in the innings, it was symptomatic of a tournament where Australia’s catching has been awful.
Opener Warner’s 15-year Australia career ended with a push to slip, but the prolific Head, whose century in the 50-over World Cup final broke Indian hearts, threatened an encore.
With the left-hander muscling the ball through the leg side, Australia had momentum until Axar’s stunning intervention. Marsh heaved Kuldeep Yadav to deep square leg, where Axar thrust his right hand into the air and clung on to a spectacular catch.
Glenn Maxwell arrived to support Head with rubber-wristed reverse-sweeps, but India gradually tightened their grip. Left-arm spinner Axar conceded only three from the 13th over, then the magical Kuldeep deceived Maxwell with a googly to end with 2-24 from his four overs.
More than 14 an over was required when India recalled paceman Bumrah to the attack. In his desperation to the find the rope, Head was deceived by a slower ball and could only find Rohit at extra cover.
The game was up. Australia, whose own victory over Scotland earlier in the tournament stopped England from going out, have been left powerless while England plan for the last four.