No defending champion has ever made it to the next final at T20 World Cups, and India ensured that the trend stays intact with a commanding 68-run win over England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. They will now meet co-finalists South Africa, the other unbeaten team in this edition, in Barbados for a chance to make history.
India appeared to be in trouble when they were asked to bat first in the big semifinal, having lost five out of five ICC tournament matches since 2021 while doing so. However, solid performances from Rohit Sharma (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (47), combined with three wickets from Axar Patel with the new ball, meant that India were too strong for England on the day.
Where was the semifinal won?
In the first innings. Jos Buttler felt England let India score “20-25 runs too many.”
Despite England’s dramatic collapse to 101 all out, it was clear that India had the game in the bag when they set a target of 171, the highest ever for a day game in Guyana. The pitch got slower and lower, just as Rohit Sharma had anticipated, making it a good toss to lose. Buttler opted to chase due to the wet forecast but batting second on a deteriorating pitch proved disastrous. England’s struggles were amplified in conditions perfect for India’s slow bowlers, reports Cricket Live Score.
INDIA
PowerPlay: Rohit keeps India’s noses in front
Phase score: 46/2 (5x4s, 1x6s)
After the trauma of Adelaide 2022, India were determined to set a brisk pace despite the slow, low conditions in Guyana. Rohit’s first boundary came off a streaky leading edge over short third man, but the Indian captain pressed on, even smashing one through the hands of Phil Salt at point. Virat Kohli, attempting an aggressive start, fell after a run-a-ball 9, reducing his average this edition to a mere 10.71, far below his IPL form. Rishabh Pant’s brief stint ended with a catch at mid-wicket off Sam Curran’s bowling, but Rohit’s boundaries ensured India stayed close to the par score despite the tricky conditions.
Middle overs: The Rohit-Suryakumar show
Phase score: 72/1 (5x4s, 4x6s)
India has been the fastest scoring team in the middle overs this edition, maintaining that pace with an 8 rpo rate in this phase. A 73-run partnership between Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav, spanning a 75-minute rain delay, kept India in control. Sam Curran’s second over cost England 19 runs, including a six each from Rohit and Suryakumar. Rohit aggressively targeted Adil Rashid, but eventually fell to a low googly from the legspinner, having navigated India through the challenging middle overs.
Death overs: Jordan impedes India’s charge
Phase score: 53/4 (4x4s, 3x6s)
India entered the final overs wondering how many runs would be enough on this pitch. Eleven balls after Rohit’s dismissal, Suryakumar mistimed a back-of-the-hand slower ball from Jofra Archer, resulting in a catch by Chris Jordan. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, both promoted ahead of Shivam Dube, had to rebuild. Pandya hit back-to-back sixes off Jordan but fell trying for a third. Dube fell for a golden duck, leaving Axar and Jadeja to add 24 runs in the last two overs, setting a competitive total.
ENGLAND
PowerPlay: Axar all over England
Phase score: 39/3 (4x4s, 0x6s)
Axar Patel, given the ball in the PowerPlay, proved a handful for England. He deceived Jos Buttler on the reverse-sweep with his first ball, delivering India their most crucial breakthrough. Jonny Bairstow fell in Axar’s next over to a delivery that skidded low. Jasprit Bumrah added to England’s woes, bowling Phil Salt with a fast offbreak.
Middle overs: England succumb to spin
Phase score: 47/5 (3x4s, 1x6s)
Kuldeep Yadav’s first over hinted at what was to follow – lots of spin, inconsistent bounce, and no pace off the pitch. Axar’s brilliance continued as he stumped Moeen Ali and ran out Jofra Archer. Kuldeep trapped Sam Curran and Chris Jordan lbw, with Harry Brook’s leg stump knocked out trying consecutive reverse sweeps.
Death overs: India wrap it with 20 balls to spare
Phase score: 15/2 (1x4s, 1x6s)
As the game entered the final phase, India were already counting down to victory. Suryakumar’s run-out of Rashid and Bumrah’s lbw of Archer ended England’s misery and secured India’s place in another ICC final, their first T20 World Cup final in 10 years.
Brief Scores: India 171/7 (Rohit 57, Suryakumar 47; Jordan 3-37) beat England 101 all out in 16.4 overs (Brook 25; Kuldeep 3-19, Axar 3-23, Bumrah 2-12) by 68 runs.
English