India Advanced into the Finals, Defeats England

India has entered the finals of the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024. For the third time in a row, India has qualified for the finals of the ICC events.

There is no doubt that India England semi-final match is extremely important for both teams. The winning team will advance to the finals and face South Africa to win the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup 2024 trophy.

While India has been undefeated in the T20 World Cup 2024 and England’s journey has been quite a roller coaster ride.

The weather was in a dicey mood; anticipated rain delayed the toss but eventually, things started soon!

First Innings – Men in Blue Scored Well

England won the toss and decided to field first.

The 2024 T20 World Cup has been quite a disaster for King Kohli, be it the first match of the tournament or this contest! Virat tried to pull a shot over the mid-wicket but lost his wicket against a good-length delivery from Topley. Virat got bowled, and scored 9 runs off 9 balls!

Rohit Sharma stood like a rock for the team, again! We got to see the same determination, calmness, and expertise as seen in the last contest against Australia.

After Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant was supposed to bat for long, set things right, score runs and protect the wicket. But he got caught out by flicking at the mid-wicket and the bowl landed straight into Bairstow’s hands.

Now Suryakumar Yadav was required to do what Rishabh was supposed to. And he did what he was expected to! Suryakumar imposed pressure on the English side.

After the 8th over, rain interrupted the match, India was at 65-2, Rohit Sharma – 37* off 26, and Suryakumar – 13* off 7.

Splash of Runs after the Rain

After waiting for almost an hour, the rain stopped and the sky was clear, shining bright like a diamond.

Since the Indian batsmen lost the momentum, things started slowing!

A boundary, a four in Adil’s second over enabled the Indian team to pick up the pace. And then in the final bowl of the 10th over, Rohit Sharma broke the silence as he launched a six over long-on.

In the 13th over, Rohit Sharma completed his half-century, reached 55 runs off 36 balls and India passed 100 runs.

Rohit and Suryakumar - the quintessential duo!

T20 cricket keeps you on the seat's edge. Adil Rashid bowled Rohit Sharma for 57 runs. If this partnership had run for long, things would have been harsh for England.

A change in the batting line-up. All-rounder, Hardik Pandya comes to the pitch.

The eyes were now glued on Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.

English bowlers are continuing to put pressure on the Indian batters, after Rohit’s dismissal. India stood at 118-3 after 15 overs.

There goes another four in the 16th over, Hardik opened his account with a boundary in Jofra Archer’s over. What India faced in Jofra’s over was sad! Suryakumar was caught out by Jordan! Both the set batsmen got out within a span of three years.

Shivam Dube, not again!

Ravindra Jadeja came in after Suryakumar. India at 126/4, only four overs were left!

Hardik Pandya went on fire! In the 18th over, Hardik hit 2 sixes in a row against Jordan, increasing the run rate! Splendid effort!

Trying to hit another six, Hardik lost his wicket; Sam took the catch. Hardik scored 23 runs off 13 balls!

India took another damage! This time Shivam Dube came in but got out at the golden duck. What a waste for India!

Ravindra Jadeja was still on the pitch, all hopes in! Jadeja started to hit beautiful fours and the run rate started to increase. At that point, India needed to score maximum runs in the final overs of the game.

India was at 159-6, with the last 6 balls left in the innings!

There went a six in the 4th ball of the final over by Axar Patel! In the next ball, Axar goes back to the pavilion while trying to take the ball out of the boundary line. Axar went out at 10 runs off 6 balls.

With a single run in the final ball, India left a target score of 172 runs for the England cricket team.

Second Innings - The Decider

India had the advantage of various bowling resources. The pitch became ideal for the spinners and with Kuldeep, Axar and Jadeja in the team, India could utilize the full potential.

Axar Patel did the magic, Jos Butler tried to pull a shot, but Rishabh took the catch. A much-needed wicket for India, Jos could have been deadly. Jos went back to the pavilion after scoring 23 runs off 15 balls.

Bumrah! The magician bowler dismissed Salt and bowled him. England at 34-2 in 4.4 overs.

Axar Patel delivered a beautiful spin and bowled Jonny Bairstow. England was in trouble. Moean Ali had to go out of the pitch and scored 8 runs off 10 balls.

English batsmen couldn’t stand the wrath of Indian bowlers and unfavourable pitch conditions. India whitewashed England in 16.4 overs at 103-10.

India won the match by 68 runs.

India Aiming for the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup Trophy

With this victory, India reached the finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup to compete against South Africa to win the trophy. South Africa has entered the finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time in history, and the Proteas will put in their every ounce of energy to win the T20 World Cup. South Africa has nothing to lose and much to gain.

India will be looking forward to recreating the history and relive the winning moment of the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup. India has qualified for the finals for the third time. The team always had the sweet in hand, but never got to taste it. This time the Men in Blue will put in tears, blood and sweat to become the winners.

Both the teams will lock horns with each other on 29th June, at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Also read - Afghanistan is Out of the T20 World Cup 2024