India devastated England by 68 runs in wet Guyana on Thursday to qualify for the T20 World Cup final. Many experts questioned England’s decision to bowl first. Especially, against an Indian squad with a complete bowling arsenal capable of defending any score.
England’s choice may have been influenced by overhead circumstances that may have interrupted their run-chase and triggered the DLS calculations.
Yet, nothing of the kind transpired. The defending champions collapsed against Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3/19) and Axar Patel (3/23) when chasing India’s 171 for 7. The worst day for England!
Shoaib Criticizes England’s Decision To Bowl First
Former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar analyzed the game and criticized England’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss.
He scolded England’s cricket team for winning the toss and choosing to bowl first in the 2024 T20 World Cup second semifinal against India, which they lost by 68 runs on Thursday at Providence Stadium in Guyana.
“Ye mujhe koi bata de kis Einstein ne kaha tha England ko ke toss jeet ke aapne doosri batting karni hai, kaunsa sciencedaan hai inke paas” (Einstein advised England to win the toss and chase, which they have).
The squad has three spinners, Axar, Kuldeep, who is a match winner, and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as Jasprit Bumrah. So, who recommended you to win the toss and chase against India?” Shoaib asked. “I don’t think that was a good decision.”
India’s Victory, and Akhtar’s Praise
Shoaib, on the other hand, expressed his delight at India’s victory and thanked them, mentioning skipper Rohit Sharma specifically. Rohit once again led India’s batting with a 39-ball 57, supported by Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 off 36 balls. The pair contributed 73 runs for the third wicket.
“I am really glad to see India (win), a well-deserved squad with a wide spectrum of batting…I’ve been saying it for a long time: there is no batsman like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, or Hardik Pandya. These three batsmen, one of whom is an allrounder (Hardik), can easily win you a game,” Shoaib added.
England began their run chase well, reaching 34 for 1 in the fifth over, but then collapsed against Axar and Kuldeep, losing nine wickets for 69 runs and being bowled out for 103.
India will now face South Africa in the final match on Saturday in Barbados. South Africa dominated Afghanistan in the first semifinal, winning by nine wickets.
After captain Rohit Sharma hit his 32nd T20I fifty with a 39-ball 57 and, along with Suryakumar Yadav, who hit 47 off 36 balls, helped India post a competitive 171/7 on a tacky pitch, brilliant spells from Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, who each picked three wickets.
It led to England collapsing as they were bowled out for 103 and helped India book their place in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa.
England is Still Satisfied
England captain Jos Buttler denied the idea that their choice to bowl first after winning the toss was the difference in the final score.
“Well, after the rain, I didn’t think the conditions to shift that dramatically. I doubt it truly did. They out-bowled us. They received an above-par score. “I don’t think that toss was necessarily the difference between the teams,” he stated following the game.
India’s quest for a global title is well on track. It has been 11 years since they stood on the platform as victors. Only a few hours and a fierce South African team stand between them and victory. Rohit Sharma and his team crushed defending champions England, bowling them out for 103 after whacking them around to make 171. It was a mismatch.