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India enters the final of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. By doing so, India ended the 10-year-long wait for a T20 World Cup final berth. An all-round India outclassed the defending champions, England, in the tournament’s second semifinal. India outplayed England in all departments and defeated them by 68 runs to secure a place in the finals after 10 long years.
The victory means India will face South Africa in a much-anticipated final clash in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. This will be India’s third final appearance in the history of the T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue were champions in 2007 and runners-up in 2014. India has achieved a hat-trick by reaching the final of all three major ICC tournaments. India has featured in the finals of the World Test Championship, the ODI World Cup, and the T20 World Cup.
Men In Blue Take Revenge of The 2022 T20 Semifinal
India had to overcome the ghosts of the 2022 semifinal and weather issues. The Indian team did it all in quite a style. England defeated India in the semifinal of the T20 World Cup by 10 wickets. The image from 2022 of Rohit Sharma sitting dejected in the dugout with his face buried in his hands is finally replaced by a scene of triumph.
In the last year, India played in the finals of all three major ICC tournaments. The first was the World Test Championship final in June 2023, the second was the ODI World Cup final in November 2023, and now the T20 World Cup final in June 2024. This time, India would like to win the title and end the trophy drought. India has not won an ICC trophy in the last 10 years.
Highlights of The India vs. England Semifinal
As a result of the rain, the match started late. England won the toss and decided to bowl first. India lost Virat Kohli early, and later, Rishabh Pant departed too. The powerplay was quiet for India. Suryakumar Yadav came and built up a partnership with Rohit Sharma. Rohit led from the front and made 57 off 39. Rohit and Suryakumar fell within an over, and India struggled at 124-4 in 16 overs. Hardik Pandya (23 in 13), Ravindra Jadeja (17 in 9), and Axar Patel (10 in 6) scored crucial runs.
Chris Jordan was the top bowler for England, with figures of 3-37 in 3 overs. Adil Rashid was the most economical bowler for England, with an economy rate of 6.25. His bowling figures read 1-25 in 4 overs. As a result, India made 171-7 in 20 overs.
172 was the target for England. They lost their first wicket in the fourth over as Axar Patel got Jos Buttler caught out on 23. Soon after, the whole England team fell like a deck of cards. Besides Buttler, only Harry Brook (25), Liam Livingston (11), and Jofra Archer (21) scored double-digit runs. As a result, the team was all out on 103 in 16.3 overs, courtesy of Indian spinners. The spinners were too good for England’s batsmen.
Kuldeep Yadav was the top performer, with bowling figures of 3-19 in 4 overs. Axar Patel’s bowling figures read 3-23 in 4 overs. These two spinners ripped the middle and lower middle orders of England. Jasprit Bumrah also played a crucial role by taking 2 wickets and giving away just 12 runs in 2.4 overs. As a result of good bowling, India won by 68 runs.
India vs. South Africa In The Final
South Africa already qualified for the final by beating Afghanistan in the first semifinal. India qualified by beating England in the second semifinal. Now these teams will face each other in the final on June 29. Both the finalist teams are unbeaten in the tournament. That’s what the best final is: two unbeaten teams playing against each other for the title.
The T20 World Cup 2024 marks the first instance of two unbeaten teams reaching the final of a T20 World Cup edition. India is unbeaten in the tournament with seven wins and one no-result match. While South Africa is unbeaten with eight wins, but in the final, one team would have to lose and the other would have to lift the title. All this will be decided on June 29.