India wins T20 Semi Finals
India took revenge on England by beating them in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Now, they will be facing South Africa in the finals on 29 June.
The match started late as it got delayed due to rain. India lost the toss and England elected to bowl first and the T20 Semi started.
INDIA’S BATTING
Indian skipper Rohit started the Indian innings with attacking fashion, hitting a four in the 2nd ball of the first over. He also hit a boundary off the bowling of Jofra Archer, who is known for his express pace.
Kohli hit a massive six off Topley over deep mid-wicket. Unfortunately, in the very next ball, Kohli again tried to step out and hit a six but got bowled out by Topley. Virat’s poor form continued as he could only manage to score 9 runs off 9 balls. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma kept showing his ability to hit boundaries and over-boundaries.
Pant also could not stay longer as Sam Curran got his wicket when Pant wanted to hit him over the mid-wicket. Bairstow took a sharp catch to cut short Pant’s stay at the crease.
After that Rohit, in company with Surya Kumar Yadav, built a solid-partnership of 73 run which helped India reach a commendable position on a slow and low wicket. After the unstoppable partnership of SKY and Rohit, hitman Rohit completed his half-century. But Adil Rashid’s spin confused Rohit and dislodged the bells off the wicket. Rohit was the top scorer for India with a dazzling 57.
After some scoring boundaries SKY’s wish to hit a six converted into a wicket. Surya missed his half-century as he was at 47 off 36. Hardik Pandya successfully hit consecutive two flat sixes but his third attempt failed to get him another six as he was caught at deep mid-wicket boundary by Sam Curran off Jordan. Shivam Dube came and went for a first-ball-duck and put Jordan on a hat-trick. Axar and Jadaja hit some boundaries and over-boundaries in the last two overs of the innings to take India to a healthy score of 171 runs for the loss of 7 wickets.
For England Chris Jordan took three wickets while Topley, Archer, Curran, Rashid grabbed one wicket each.
INDIA’S BOWLING
While chasing the target of 172 to reach the final, England openers– Phil Salt and skipper Jos Buttler– started well. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah were struggling to take the wickets of the openers but Axar picked up the wicket of Jos Buttler in his very first ball. Bumrah then broke the wicket of Salt. Axar sent Jonny Bairstow back to bench for a duck. After that Moeen Ali went disappointed as he was stumped by Pant. Moeen Ali was the third victim of Axar Patal.
The chinaman Kuldeep Yadav also took the wicket of Sam Curran. Kuldeep again took the wicket of Harry Brook. And the unstoppable guy Kuldeep again got his third prey in the form of Chris Jordan. With this wicket he completed his 200th international wicket. England top order and middle order batters went down like ninepins. Liam Livingstone, who he was the last hope for England, was run out, making it easy for India’s march to the finals. Adil Rashid also fell because of the brilliant run out by SKY. Jofra Archer somehow managed England to score 103 runs but he also got out and India kicked England out from the tournament by their exceptional batting and bowling skills.
For India Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the best bowlers on the show as they picked up 3 wickets each. Axar was judged man of the match for his brilliant bowling.
India will now face South Africa in Barbados on Saturday. The match promises to be a high-voltage one as South Africa has never won an ICC trophy while India will try to break the World Cup jinx of 13 years.
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