India scored 171/7 in 20 overs, where as England scored 103 all out in 16.4 overs.
So, finally India beat England by 68 runs.
No defending champion has ever made it to the next final at T20 World Cups, and India ensured that the trend stays intact with a dominant 68-run victory over England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.
They will now face co-finalists South Africa, the other unbeaten team in this edition, in Barbados for a shot at history.
India faced a challenging start when asked to bat first in the pivotal semifinal, having lost all previous five ICC tournaments since 2021 under similar circumstances.
However, robust contributions from Rohit Sharma (57) and Surya Kumar Yadav (47), along with a pivotal three-wicket haul by Axar Patel early in England’s innings, proved decisive in India’s favor.
Where was the semifinal won?
In the first innings.
Jos Buttler remarked that England allowed India to score “20-25 runs too many.
“‘Jos Buttler remarked that England allowed India to score “20-25 runs too many.”
Despite England’s dramatic collapse to 103 all out, it was clear that India held the advantage after posting 171 on the board, setting the highest target ever chased in a day game in Guyana.
The pitch slowed and became more challenging, confirming Rohit Sharma’s pre-match expectations and validating England’s risky decision to chase despite the pitch conditions worsening by the minute.
England’s difficulties amplified in conditions ideal for India’s slow bowlers.
INDIA
Power Play: Rohit leads India’s charge
Phase score: 46/2 (5x4s, 1×6)
After the disappointments of Adelaide 2022, India refused to let the slow and low conditions in Guyana hamper their intent.
Rohit’s early boundaries included a fortunate edge over short third man, but he persisted aggressively, capitalizing on opportunities even as Virat Kohli struggled and fell for a run-a-ball 9.
Rishabh Pant’s dismissal at mid-wicket to Sam Curran added to India’s challenges, but Rohit’s aggressive stroke play kept India close to the par score, despite conditions favoring bowlers with deliveries staying low.
Middle overs: Rohit-Suryakumar partnership shines
Phase score: 72/1 (5x4s, 4×6)
India, known for their brisk scoring in middle overs this tournament, continued their momentum with Rohit and Suryakumar’s 73-run partnership, interrupted briefly by a rain delay.
Both batsmen capitalized on loose deliveries, maintaining momentum despite the break.
Adil Rashid bore the brunt of Rohit’s aggression before dismissing him with a googly that stayed low, but India navigated the tricky middle overs successfully.
Death overs: England’s Jordan halts India’s surge
Phase score: 53/4 (4x4s, 3×6)
Entering the final overs, India faced the challenge of setting a competitive total on a slowing pitch.
Surya Kumar’s dismissal by Jofra Archer’s slower ball added pressure, as Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja sought to stabilize.
Pandya broke free momentarily with consecutive sixes off Chris Jordan but fell attempting a third.
Shivam Dube’s golden duck added to India’s woes, leaving Axar and Jadeja to boost the score with a crucial 24-run partnership in the last two overs.
ENGLAND
Power Play: Axar’s early strikes rattle England
Phase score: 39/3 (4x4s, 0x6)
Axar Patel’s impact was immediate as he dismissed Jos Buttler with his first ball, a deceptive delivery that induced a mistimed reverse sweep.
In his next over, Axar bowled Jonny Bairstow to put England on the back foot early.
Jasprit Bumrah also contributed with a crucial wicket, breaching Phil Salt’s defense with his offbreak.
Middle overs: Kuldeep’s spin adds to England’s woes
Phase score: 47/5 (3x4s, 1×6)
Kuldeep Yadav’s introduction compounded England’s troubles with sharp turn and inconsistent bounce.
Axar continued his dominance by stumping Moeen Ali and running out Jofra Archer, but it was Kuldeep who starred in this phase, dismissing Curran and Jordan leg before wicket and cleaning up Harry Brook’s stumps after attempting risky reverse sweeps.
Death overs: India closes out with ease
Phase score: 15/2 (1x4s, 1×6)
With victory in sight, India wrapped up England’s innings with 20 balls to spare.
Surya Kumar’s run-out of Rashid and Bumrah’s dismissal of Archer secured India’s emphatic win, propelling them to their first T20 World Cup final in a decade.
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