India’s journey to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final continued on Thursday with a convincing victory over England in the semifinal. Despite challenging conditions, including persistent rain and a tricky pitch, Rohit Sharma’s men showcased their dominance.
Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav led the charge with the bat, setting a formidable target of 171 runs for England. The duo adapted beautifully to the challenging pitch, exhibiting remarkable skill and patience. Their crucial 73-run partnership for the third wicket steered India towards a comfortable score.
Suryakumar Yadav entertained the crowd with his trademark aggressive style, unleashing powerful shots, including a clean straight hit and his signature paddle scoop. Rohit Sharma, meanwhile, displayed his experience, effectively negating the threat of leg-spinner Adil Rashid. His reverse sweep and conventional sweep rattled Rashid, highlighting his ability to adapt to different bowling styles.
England’s chase faltered early, losing three wickets in the PowerPlay. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel was particularly effective, dismissing the dangerous Jos Buttler and rattling Jonny Bairstow with a flat, straight skidder. Jasprit Bumrah’s slower ball also deceived Phil Salt, further disrupting England’s batting order.
As England struggled to recover, India relentlessly pushed forward, removing Moeen Ali and Curran cheaply. With the score at 49 for five, any hopes of an England comeback were dashed. The Indian juggernaut, fueled by a stellar performance across all departments, marched confidently towards the final, one step closer to lifting the World Cup trophy.
