Shreejit Jha, a student in sixth grade, shares this report on how India Wins T20 Semifinals.
India Wins T20 Semifinals against England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday, securing their spot in the finals against South Africa on June 29. The match, held under challenging weather conditions, was delayed due to rain but eventually saw India taking the spotlight with both their batting and bowling performances.
INDIA’S BATTING
Despite losing the toss and being put in to bat first, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma set the tone for the innings with an aggressive start, hitting a four off the second ball. Rohit continued his assault against England’s pace attack, including Jofra Archer.
Virat Kohli tried to follow suit with a massive six off Reece Topley, but his attempt to replicate the shot on the next ball resulted in him being bowled out for just 9 runs. Kohli’s ongoing struggle with form was evident, leaving India in a precarious position.
Rishabh Pant’s stay was also brief as Sam Curran sent him packing with a sharp catch by Jonny Bairstow. However, Rohit found a reliable partner in Suryakumar Yadav (SKY), and the duo forged a crucial 73-run partnership. Rohit’s efforts culminated in a brilliant half-century before he fell to Adil Rashid’s spin, top-scoring for India with 57 runs.
SKY continued to display his prowess but fell short of a fifty, scoring 47 off 36 balls. Hardik Pandya added some late fireworks with two consecutive sixes, though his third attempt was caught at the boundary by Curran. The tail-enders, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, contributed valuable runs, taking India to a respectable total of 171/7. Chris Jordan was the standout bowler for England, claiming three wickets, while Topley, Archer, Curran, and Rashid each took one.
INDIA’S BOWLING
Chasing 172 for a place in the final, England’s openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler started solidly. However, India’s bowlers soon turned the tide. Axar Patel struck with his very first ball to dismiss Buttler, and Jasprit Bumrah followed up by removing Salt. Axar continued to torment England’s batsmen, dismissing Bairstow for a duck and later stumping Moeen Ali.
Kuldeep Yadav joined the fray, taking the wickets of Sam Curran, Harry Brook, and Chris Jordan, with his third wicket marking his 200th in international cricket. England’s batting line-up crumbled, and their hopes rested on Liam Livingstone, who was eventually run out, sealing England’s fate. A brilliant run-out by SKY accounted for Adil Rashid, and Jofra Archer’s resistance ended with England bowled out for 103.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the pick of the bowlers, each claiming three wickets. Axar’s all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award.
With this comprehensive victory, India has set the stage for a thrilling final against South Africa in Barbados. The clash promises high stakes as South Africa seeks its first ICC trophy while India aims to break a 13-year World Cup drought. Cricket fans around the world eagerly await what promises to be an electrifying showdown.
