By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
T20 World Cup Semi-Final, Guyana
India 171-7 (20 overs):Rohit 57 (39), Suryakumar 47 (36), Jordan 3-37
England 103 (16.4 overs):Brook 25 (19), Kuldeep 3-19, Axar 3-23
India won by 68 runs
In the T20 World Cup semi-final held in Guyana, India delivered a crushing blow to England, ending their title defense with a 68 run victory. England, set a challenging target of 172 on a tricky pitch, struggled and were bowled out for 103 in just 16.4 overs.
England’s captain, Jos Buttler, provided a promising start with a score of 23, but his dismissal triggered a collapse, with four wickets falling for just 20 runs. Phil Salt managed only five runs, Jonny Bairstow was out for a three ball duck, and Moeen Ali scored eight from ten balls. Kuldeep Yadav's excellent bowling, taking 3-19, included the key wicket of Harry Brook for 25, leaving England reeling at 68-6. The match saw further dismal run outs, sealing England's fate.
India's innings was anchored by the stellar performances of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, who managed the difficult conditions superbly. They formed a crucial partnership of 73 runs from 50 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 171-7. Rohit scored 57, while Suryakumar added 47. England allowed India to reach a score above par, largely due to the excellent batting display.
India, who have not won a World Cup in 13 years, will face first time finalists South Africa in Barbados, a clash between the tournament's two unbeaten teams. England, on the other hand, will return home and prepare for a three match Test series against the West Indies, starting on July 10.
Despite early struggles, England's journey to the semi-finals was commendable, though their overall performance raised questions about the futures of captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott, especially after a disappointing defense of the 50 over World Cup last year.
In their previous encounter, England had convincingly beaten India by 10 wickets in the 2022 semi-finals, with Buttler scoring 80 not out. This time, however, Buttler's dismissal to Axar Patel’s first ball marked the beginning of England's downfall. Phil Salt and Jonny Bairstow also fell cheaply, while Moeen Ali was comically stumped after losing track of the ball. Kuldeep Yadav continued to wreak havoc, dismissing Sam Curran and Harry Brook.
India's disciplined and strategic play, both with the bat and ball, was a stark contrast to England's performance. Rohit and Suryakumar’s batting partnership, alongside contributions from other players, helped set a formidable target. In the bowling department, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav's outstanding performances ensured England never gained momentum.
Reflecting on the match, India captain Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort, highlighting their adaptability to the challenging conditions. England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged that India outplayed them and deserved the victory. Player of the match, Axar Patel, credited the pitch conditions for his success, emphasizing the importance of bowling in good areas.
India’s win was a testament to their strategic planning and execution, while England's defeat highlighted the need for introspection and improvement.