New Delhi: Rohit Sharma led the charge as India blew away England in the second semi-final at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 28 to reach the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. India avenged their loss in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final against England by scripting a memorable win to enter their first T20 World Cup final since 2014.
Asked to bat first on a tricky wicket in the rain-affected semi-final, India were up for the challenge as Rohit ensured the Men in Blue didn’t lose the momentum despite a shaky start. Continuing his purple patch, Rohit slammed a brilliant knock of 57 runs off 39 balls and combined with Suryakumar Yadav (47 off 36 balls) to guide India to a fighting total of 171 runs.
England were expected to give India a tough time in the run-chase considering the incredible depth in their star-studded batting line-up. However, Jos Buttler & Co. suffered a dramatic collapse as Indian spinners dominated the proceedings in Guyana. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel picked up six wickets between them to run riot as England were bundled out for 103 runs in 16.4 overs to suffer a crushing defeat in the semi-final.
India have now made it to successive World Cup finals. They reached the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup at home last year where they went down against Australia and will now take on South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday, June 29 at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Key takeaways from India’s thumping win against England in T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final:
Indian spinners run riot against England
Indian spinners dominated the proceedings during England’s run-chase in the semi-final as Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav combined to run through their batting line-up. England did get off to a solid start courtesy of their openers Jos Buttler and Philip Salt, however, Indian spinners bowled England out of the game after Axar got rid of the England skipper in the 4th over.
Axar and Kuldeep picked up three wickets apiece to spin India to a memorable win. Axar picked up the important wickets of the likes of Buttler, Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow while Kuldeep dismissed Harry Brook, Sam Curran and Chris Jordan. It was an impeccable performance from the spin duo, who ensured England were never in the chase.
England’s star-studded batting line-up flops
Many thought England were the favourites heading into the chase despite the tricky pitch in Guyana. However, their star-studded batting line-up fell like a pack of cards under pressure. Indian spinners spun a web around the England batters to stop them from firing in the all-important clash. Harry Brook top-scored with 25 off 19 balls in what was a shambolic batting display from England.
England chased down a target of 169 runs in just 16 overs against India in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final and were hopeful of replicating their heroics on Thursday. However, that was not the case as their batters were completely outplayed by the Indian spinners.
Rohit Sharma leads from the front
Rohit Sharma continued to bat with the same intent that he displayed in the Super Eight clash against Australia earlier this week. After single-handedly blowing away Australia’s bowling attack, Rohit led from the front with a captain’s knock for India in the semi-final against England. The Hitman was put under pressure early after Kohli departed early.
However, he joined hands with Suryakumar Yadav to stage a fightback. Rohit slammed a brilliant knock of 57 runs off 39 balls laced with 6 fours and 2 sixes and added 73 runs for the third wicket with Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 47 off 36 balls. The duo’s heroics propelled India to a fighting total of 171 runs on the board in 20 overs.
1st T20 World Cup final for India since 2014
India have reached their first T20 World Cup final since 2014. They lost against Sri Lanka in the 2014 edition and have since gone down twice in the semi-finals in the 2016 and 2022 editions of the tournament. They will now take on South Africa in the highly-anticipated final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Rohit & Co. are now just one step away from breaking India’s jynx in ICC knockouts and bringing an end to their long-standing ICC trophy drought. India last won a major ICC trophy in 2013 and have since come close on several occasions but have failed to go the distance.
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Rohit Sharma led from the front with a captain’s knock while spinners run riot with the ball as India hammered England by 68 runs to enter the T20 World Cup 2024 final. India completed the revenge for their defeat in the semif-final of the T20 World Cup 2022. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
