All cards are set for a rerun of 2022 all over again as the defending champions will take on India in the 2nd semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup where an explosive opening partnership between Jos Buttler and Alex Hales sent shockwaves through the Indian camp, ensuring a 10-wicket thrashing right in the face.
England would want things to unfold exactly as it did 19 months ago in Adelaide, while India would want it to be exactly the opposite.
However, India appears to be the most well-organized and polished team in the ongoing Men’s T20 World Cup tournament. They proceeded to the semi-finals without losing a game and won most of their games commandingly. They dictated their opponents so far and look to be the top favourite to bring the trophy home.
This time, India appears better prepared. Their batting boasts more firepower, with a deeper middle order and a bowling attack offering diverse options. However, England, the reigning champions, remain a formidable force.
They have so far relied on team performances. Every single player of them had some significant contribution at some point in the game. The concern of skipper Rohit Sharma not being amongst the highest run scorers was blown away after an assertive innings of 92 (41) against Australia. Now they are a side that fears nothing and can beat anyone. They can finally feel that this is the time to end their 11-year drought for an ICC trophy. Additionally, they would also look to take revenge for the last time when England crushed them in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
They have so far only one concern which is the form of Virat Kohli. However, the way this team is going, they might not need him to do much either.
England is one of the slow starters of the game. Their campaign so far has been astonishing, to say the least. They were almost on the cusp of going out in the group stage. Yet they not only passed the group stage but also fired in the Super 8 being the first team to ensure their place in the semi-finals. The most important thing for them was that their key players found their feet right in time. Jos Butler scored a fiery 83 against the USA, Phil Salt, and Jonny Bairstow were right on cue against the West Indies. The most important fact is that whoever gets a good start in this team, make sure to get them over the line. As a result, they have only two players in the top 10 run-scorer list and none in the top 10 wicket-takers (as a matter of fact, they are the only Super 8 side besides the USA who doesn’t have a bowler to take 10 wickets) yet they are comfortably sitting in the semi-finals. They will now try to do what they do best and defend the title for Champions of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
England Squad:
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (c), Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Reece Topley.
India Squad:
Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav.
