Troika of Rohit, Axar, Kuldeep bulldoze England to propel India into T20 World Cup final, avenge last edition's semifinal loss

India have stormed into the T20 World Cup 2024 final with a resounding 68-run win over defending champions England in the semifinal in Guyana on June 28, Friday. India rode on Rohit Sharma's brilliant half century to post a competitive total of 171/7. In reply, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav combined together to wreak havoc on England and bundled them out for mere 103 runs.

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India avenge T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal loss against England

India made it to the T20 World Cup final for the first time in 10 years. This victory holds special significance as it comes two years after a crushing 10-wicket defeat against England in the 2022 semi-final. 

Axar, Kuldeep leave England in a spin

Chasing a modest target of 172 on a slow pitch that resembled the spin-friendly Ahmedabad surface of 2021, England's batting crumbled against India's spin attack. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel emerged as the heroes, dismantling the English batting lineup with a combined haul of six wickets. Jasprit Bumrah also chipped in with two crucial wickets. This was a complete performance by India. After Rohit Sharma's anchoring knock of 57 runs, their bowlers dominated, restricting England to just 103 runs in 16.4 overs. This victory sets up a mouthwatering final against South Africa in Barbados. India also marked an incredible feat after stunning win over England as they have now completed a remarkable hat-trick of reaching the finals in all three major ICC tournaments – the World Test Championship, the ODI World Cup, and now the T20 World Cup.

England's faltering batting

England, the reigning champions, started brightly with their openers putting on 26 runs in the first three overs. However, the introduction of Axar Patel shifted the momentum. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Phil Salt (5) with a clever offcutter, and Axar followed suit by trapping Jonny Bairstow for a duck. England were suddenly reeling at 35/3 after just 5.1 overs. Desperate for a partnership, England found themselves in a stranglehold against India's spin twins. Axar added Moeen Ali (8) as his third victim, while Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled Sam Curran with an LBW decision (2 runs). Harry Brook briefly threatened with three boundaries, but Kuldeep Yadav struck again, dismissing him bowled for 25. England were in tatters at 68/6. A couple of run-outs and a spirited cameo from Jofra Archer (21 off 15 balls) only delayed the inevitable. India's spinners had completely stifled the English batting attack, paving the way for a convincing victory and a final date with the undefeated South Africa.

Rohit's ravishing fifty helps India post challenging total

India put up a competitive score of 171 for 7 wickets in the rain-affected second semifinal of the T20 World Cup against England, thanks to a crucial partnership between Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. The match started with a one-hour and fifteen-minute delay due to rain. After England elected to field, India lost their star batsman Virat Kohli cheaply (9 runs) as he tried to force the pace on a slow pitch with low bounce.

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Captain Rohit Sharma (57 runs off 39 balls), however, adapted brilliantly to the conditions. He played the ball late and focused on hitting behind the square. He capitalized on loose deliveries, collecting boundaries off Jofra Archer and Reece Topley early on.

After Rishabh Pant's dismissal (4 runs), Suryakumar Yadav (47 runs off 36 balls) came to the crease and formed a crucial 73-run partnership with Rohit. Suryakumar smashed sixes while Rohit reached his second consecutive fifty before being dismissed by Adil Rashid.

Hardik Pandya (23 runs off 13 balls) provided a late flourish with two big sixes before Ravindra Jadeja (17 runs off 9 balls) ensured India reached a respectable total with some crucial boundaries off Archer. Axar Patel finished things off with a six in the final over, taking India past 170.

India will now take on South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on June 29.

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