India will face defending champions England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. The game will take place at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27. This encounter brings together two favourites in a showdown that promises high-octane action and intense competition.
India enters this match, having won six games in the tournament. Their only hiccup came when their match against Canada in the first round was abandoned due to a wet outfield. Yet, in the Super Eight stage, India showed dominance with victories over Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia. This strong performance has positioned them as slight favourites in the semi-final clash.
England's journey has been a rollercoaster. Their opening fixture against Scotland ended without a result. Then, a defeat to Australia followed, which cast doubt over their progression. Despite these setbacks, Jos Buttler's men rallied to secure their spot in the Super Eights with crucial wins against the West Indies and the USA. Although they faced a defeat against South Africa, England's determination and ability to bounce back will be key as they defend their title.
When these two sides last met in the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, England triumphed by ten wickets. This time, a closer contest is anticipated, with India's recent form giving them a slight edge.
Probable Playing XI
India:
Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah.
England:
Jos Buttler (C & WK), Phil Salt, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley.
Key Players
Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma's aggressive batting style has been a highlight for India in this tournament. In their last game against Australia, the Indian skipper played a remarkable innings, scoring 92 runs off just 41 balls. His explosive start, including four sixes in one over off Mitchell Starc, set the tone for India's dominant performance. Indian fans will be hoping for another masterclass from Rohit to give their team a strong foundation.
Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah has been India's bowling spearhead, delivering match-winning performances. With 11 wickets from six matches at an average of 8.55 and an economy rate of 4.09, Bumrah has been virtually unplayable. His ability to exploit the conditions in Guyana will be crucial for India as they look to dismantle England's batting lineup.
Jos Buttler (England)
Jos Buttler has aggressive batting and sharp cricketing mind. His leadership will be vital as England seeks to navigate the challenge posed by India's potent attack. Buttler's ability to score and anchor the innings makes him a key player for England in this match.
Jofra Archer (England)
Jofra Archer has been instrumental for England, especially in the knockout stages of major tournaments. His ability to bowl in the powerplay and at the death overs will be crucial in curbing India's formidable batting lineup. Archer's performance could be a deciding factor in the match's outcome.
Match Prediction
Predicting the winner of a match between two top-tier teams is always challenging, especially in a format as unpredictable as T20. Yet, considering India's unbeaten run and their all-around strong performances throughout the tournament, they enjoy a slight advantage. India's batting depth, combined with a lethal bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, positions them as favourites to edge past England.