In a dramatic semi-final of the men’s T20 World Cup in Guyana, England was outplayed by India, resulting in a crushing 68-run defeat for England. This victory secured India’s place in the final against South Africa at Kensington Oval. The game took place on a slow, low surface at Providence Stadium, which made chasing difficult. India’s total of 171 for seven, amassed around an 80-minute rain delay, proved too much for England to handle.
England, opting to chase after winning the toss, struggled to build momentum against India’s spinners and were bowled out for just 103 in 16.4 overs. This marked the end of their title defense as India’s spinners, particularly Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, dominated the match. Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first paid off, as he led the scoring with 57 runs from 39 balls, setting a challenging target for England.
The Indian bowling attack, led by spinners Patel and Yadav, dismantled the English batting lineup. Patel’s three for 23 and Yadav’s three for 19 played crucial roles in India’s eighth consecutive win. Jasprit Bumrah also contributed by taking key wickets, but it was the spinners who stole the show. Patel was named player of the match for his pivotal role in the victory.
India Dominates England in T20 World Cup Semifinal, Secures Final Spot Against South Africa
England’s collapse was swift and chaotic. Jos Buttler’s attempt to reverse sweep Patel’s first ball led to his dismissal, and Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali quickly followed. Yadav’s left-arm wrist-spin then took over, removing key players and leaving England with little hope. The collapse also featured two run-outs, adding to England’s woes and highlighting their vulnerability against quality spin bowling.
The defeat highlighted England’s shortcomings and inconsistent performance throughout the tournament. Buttler acknowledged the errors, including his regret over not utilizing Moeen Ali’s bowling.
Despite moments of promise, such as Reece Topley’s early wicket of Virat Kohli and Adil Rashid’s economical bowling, England failed to capitalize. India’s strong finish, with contributions from Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, ensured they surpassed par, leaving England with a daunting task they could not manage.
