India Storms into T20 World Cup Final with 68-Run Win Over England

In a thrilling semifinal match in Guyana on Thursday, India secured their spot in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup final by defeating England by 68 runs. Batting first on a rain-soaked pitch, India posted a competitive total of 177 for 7. In response, England, the defending champions, were bowled out for 109 runs in 16.4 overs.

India’s innings got off to a shaky start with the early losses of Virat Kohli (9) and Rishabh Pant (4). However, a resilient third-wicket partnership between Captain Rohit Sharma and Surya Kumar Yadav stabilized the innings, adding 73 runs off 50 balls. Rohit scored a pivotal 57 off 39 balls, while Surya Kumar contributed a steady 47 off 36 balls. Additional contributions came from Hardik Pandya (23), Ravindra Jadeja (17), and Axar Patel (10).

England’s Chris Jordan was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 37 runs in his three-over spell. Reece Topley, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Sam Curran each chipped in with one wicket.

Chasing 178, England’s innings fell apart quickly. Captain Jos Buttler top-scored with 23 runs before falling in the fourth over. Phil Salt (5) and Jonny Bairstow (0) fell in successive overs, and despite Harry Brook’s 25 off 19 balls and contributions from Jofra Archer (21) and Liam Livingstone (11), the team could not recover. Seven England batsmen failed to reach double digits.

Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the stars of India’s bowling attack, each taking three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah claimed two.

India will face South Africa in the final in Barbados on Saturday, marking their first T20 World Cup final appearance since 2014, when they lost to Sri Lanka in Bangladesh.