T20 World Cup 2024, 2nd Semi-Final: Axar-Kuldeep-Bumrah dismantle English line-up, India march into the final

India secured a commanding 68-run victory over England in the second semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at Providence Stadium, Guyana, on Thursday. This win sets up a final clash with South Africa on June 29.

Strong batting performance

India, batting first, posted a competitive total of 171/7. Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front with a 57 off 39 balls, his 32nd T20I fifty, while Suryakumar Yadav contributed a crucial 47 off 36 balls. Their partnership of 73 runs was vital, especially after early losses of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

See Also: [Watch] T20 World Cup 2024: Rahul Dravid consoles Virat Kohli after his disappointing dismissal in 2nd semi-final against England

Key contributions

On a slow pitch, Rohit mixed caution with aggression, hitting six fours and two sixes. Suryakumar’s innings was equally important, helping stabilize the innings. Handy runs from Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel towards the end ensured India crossed the 170-run mark. England’s Chris Jordan was the standout bowler with figures of 3-37.

Virat Kohli’s struggles persisted as he managed only 9 runs before being bowled by Reece Topley. Kohli’s early dismissal added pressure, but Rohit and Suryakumar’s partnership provided the necessary stability.

England’s chase falters

England started aggressively with skipper Jos Buttler hitting boundaries, but Axar Patel quickly dismissed him with a reverse sweep that led to an easy catch for Rishabh Pant. Jasprit Bumrah followed up by clean bowling Phil Salt, and Axar continued his dominance by bowling Jonny Bairstow and stumping Moeen Ali.

Kuldeep Yadav’s impact

Kuldeep Yadav joined the wicket-taking spree, trapping Sam Curran LBW and cleaning up Harry Brook, who had scored 25 runs. Kuldeep claimed his third wicket by dismissing Chris Jordan LBW, and his brilliant throw also resulted in Liam Livingstone’s run out. Adil Rashid was run out by Suryakumar Yadav, and Bumrah delivered the final blow by dismissing Jofra Archer LBW, wrapping up England’s innings for just 103 runs in 16.4 overs.

The last instance of a team having an unbeaten run throughout a Men’s ICC tournament was the Champions Trophy 2013 (India).

The two unbeaten teams in the competition will face-off in the final, no team has had an unbeaten run throughout a T20 World Cup previously.

Biggest win margins for India in T20 World Cups

India’s largest victory margin in T20 World Cup history is by 90 runs against England at Colombo RPS in 2012. This is followed by a 73-run win over Australia in Mirpur in 2014, a 71-run triumph against Zimbabwe in Melbourne in 2022, a 68-run win against England at Providence in the 2024 semifinal, and a 66-run victory over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Biggest win margins in T20 World Cup knockouts (by Runs)

The largest win margin in T20 World Cup knockout matches is held by the West Indies, who defeated Australia by 74 runs at Colombo RPS in the 2012 semifinal. India follows with a 68-run victory over England at Providence in the 2024 semifinal. Sri Lanka secured a 57-run win over the West Indies at The Oval in the 2009 semifinal, and the West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by 36 runs in the 2012 final at Colombo RPS.

Player of the Match

Axar Patel | Player of the Match: I have bowled in the powerplay in the past, so I had to bowl in the powerplay, that was the plan. The wicket was stopping and keeping low, so tried to bowl in the right areas. The wicket was slow, so I tried to bowl slower in this match, it worked for me. Wouldn’t have worked had I bowled quicker, would have been easier for their batters. Our batters told us that the wicket wasn’t easy, so 160 was a good total according to us. That partnership (between Rohit and SKY) was magnificent, they scored the occasional boundaries and rotated the strike. Not thinking about Barbados at the moment, will celebrate this player of the match award first.