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T20 World Cup 2024, ENG vs IND 2nd Semi-Final Preview Preview

Game details

England vs India, 2nd semi final
Guyana, June 27, 10.30am local time

Big picture – Adelaide reux

All good origin stories begin in a place of great trauma. England’s rise from their humiliation in Adelaide at the 2015 ODI World Cup has been well-documented – a breakdown of composure and acceptance of risk, faith in a new generation under the guidance of a handful of wise old heads, and reaping the rewards. that would not have been considered when the old-fashioned mentality reigned – including (albeit briefly) consecutive 50-over and 20-over World Cups.

Who knows exactly where England’s narrative arc has reached now, especially after that poor 50-over defense in India last year, but also during a difficult tour through the Caribbean that has been carried, almost exclusively, by their brutal handling to their opponents.

What we do know, however, is that – as they pass Adelaide in November 2022 towards that second world title – England’s arc has met India’s nadir. As in 2015, the mentality behind the 10-wicket defeat in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup was that of a team so wrapped up in managing on home soil that they had lost sight of the need to mitigate external conditions. Something had to change quickly, and to judge by India’s unresponsive (yet unrewarded) response, it has.

However, here is an interesting acid test of India’s new trends. At times, it seems inevitable that their ten-year drought in ICC events will have to end, but then again, they probably thought it was over after reaching the 50-over final in Ahmedabad. As Ben Stokes’ experience in Kolkata in 2016 was a key factor in England’s subsequent glory, the trauma of this loss to Australia will have hardened India’s resolve as they face the sharp end of another world tournament. No one should expect an easy ride in the exit situation, especially if the desire to win is allowed to use the process to achieve it.

England, on the other hand, has recently been consumed by an entirely different feeling. The fear of failure was not a person who used to sleep with him during their years of eating the bottom of the white ball, but because of the many silverware they were going to lose, they seemed to be paralyzed by anxiety during the World Cup of 50 overs, and also empty. loss of group status for Australians who are not currently in Barbados.

Now, however, he wonders if the fulfillment of the team’s least expected – back-to-back T20 World Cup semi-finals – would bring something different to the mindset of a group of players who clearly know what it takes to get to the other side. line. India has not won the World Cup since 2011; South Africa and Afghanistan on the other side of the draw have never won at all. England could still be in with a chance of winning a third title in five years.

As Australia have spent their entire existence showing, adapting to the unique pressures of knockout competitions clearly counts for something. But so is the burning desire to prove a point that has been years in the making. Assuming the rain stays away, one place or the other will have to give way. It promises to be compelling no matter what happens.

Form guide

India WWWWW (last five completed T20Is, most recent first)
In England WLWWW

In Light – Rohit, Buttler, Rashid, Kuldeep

In a game of such a high standard, it is impossible to look beyond the influence of two captains – opening bats and icons themselves, and two men who have struck a vein of strong form that means their team’s hopes.

Rohit Sharma he did just that in his thrashing of Australia in St Lucia, taking the wind – literally – in his attack on Mitchell Starc, and speeding up his day’s work, with the untouchable style that has been his calling card ever since. that meaningless showing in Adelaide in 2022. Rohit’s break from the historic Indian mold may yet prove to be his most valuable legacy as a captain, especially if he can claim the title that has eluded his country since the man was a rookie. 2007.

Jos Buttler, by contrast, hasn’t reserved his right to find his feet in any given innings – and his partnership with Phil Salt helps a lot in that regard – but his brutal 83 off 38 balls against the USA was the kind of distance hitter. he showed that his England teams used to drill themselves to produce the net. Perhaps more than any other modern player, Buttler is an emotional player – prone to deep self-examination when his game goes awry, as was the case in a disastrous 50-overs World Cup campaign, but capable of producing impressive peaks when his mind is right. place. He is two games away from back-to-back T20 titles, and right now, it feels like that hope is fueling him.

Standing in the way of both men and their teams, however, will be two wrist spinners in complete control of their games. Adil Rashid was England’s key bowler in the 2022 T20 World Cup, returning figures of 3 for 42 in eight overs against India and Pakistan, and having started playing sparingly in the group stages, has grown into the competition with good flight control . , pace and variety – with his googly he rarely misses the mark.

Set against him, however, it’s equally tricky Kuldeep Yadav, his rarity as a left-arm wristspinner gives him more power to turn the off-guard – as England’s Test team found to their cost in India earlier this year. Buttler’s record against Kuldeep – 87 runs in 63 matches with three dismissals in all T20s, is a sign of the threat he can pose.

Group news

India have known throughout the tournament that the semi-final in Guyana is asking for them if they can do what is needed in the Super Eight, and successfully switch to a heavy line-up since going through their group stage based in the US, they look ready. to use the circumstances of Providence. Hardik Pandya’s form as a third seamer provides options when needed, and an unchanged XI is on the cards.

India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Jasprit Bumrah.

England, on the other hand, may be tempted to play with the balance that has served them well in the Super Eight, with the expectation that four seamers will at least be more than fit. Tom Hartley provides a back-up left-arm spin option, but England’s inability to give him a start in their rain-affected home series against Pakistan means he is unlikely to be in danger now. Most likely it is the strengthening of their batting, amid the belief that the top six bowlers will be enough. Will Jacks provides an additional spin option, but Ben Duckett’s proven ability to change conditions could be an attractive addition.

In England (probable): 1 Jos Buttler (capt & wk), 2 Phil Salt, 3 Will Jacks/Ben Duckett, 4 Jonny Bairstow, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Sam Curran, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Chris Jordan/Reece Topley.

Tone and conditions: Will the rain rules prevail?

Spin has been a key weapon for Providence in this tournament, as they have claimed 27 wickets in the last five games, at a strike rate of 17.1, bettered among regulars only by Arnos Vale at St Vincent’s.

Unlike the first semi-final in Trinidad, no date has been set for this match, with the ICC citing insufficient travel time before Saturday morning’s final in Barbados. However, because the game is scheduled to start at 10.30am, there is 250 minutes of extra time to play, meaning a game of some description should be possible barring heavy rain throughout the day. At least 10 overs will be required to make the match.

However, if this match goes ahead, India will advance to the finals after topping their group in the Super Eight.

Math and trivia

  • England suffered their only T20I defeat at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, against the West Indies in the opening match of their 2010 T20 World Cup campaign. Although he managed to get the title (after skipping the rain-affected match against Ireland at the same stadium. ), he will not have second chances in this outing.
  • Apart from that infamous semi-final two years ago, India still boast the best record against England in T20Is, with 12 wins and 11 losses in the last 23 matches.
  • With his match-winning 92 against Australia, Rohit Sharma (4165) overtook Virat Kohli (4103) to the top of the leaderboard for the most runs in T20Is.
  • Quotes

    “Both teams will go out and bowl 40 overs. It’s going to be a big contest. I think it’s a contest that everyone wanted to see, and we’re excited about it.”
    England coach Matthew Mott

    “Wherever we play, be it bilateral series or ICC tournaments, the Indian cricket team is always under pressure. That’s the truth. Most of the guys are used to it, so it’s important to have a bit of calm in the dressing room.”
    Indian captain Rohit Sharma

    Andrew Miller is the UK editor for ESPNcricinfo. @miller_cricket


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