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India will face England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27.
India’s impeccable run
The Indian team has displayed remarkable consistency, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament. Their journey to the semi-finals has been marked by dominant performances, including three consecutive comprehensive victories in the Super 8s. The most recent triumph was a 24-run victory over Australia, where India posted a total of 205 and then restricted Australia to 181.
England’s challenging path
England’s route to the semi-finals has been more tumultuous. The team experienced defeats against Australia and South Africa in the group stage and Super 8s, respectively. However, they managed to bounce back, securing a place in the semi-finals for the fourth consecutive time. A pivotal moment for England were their ten-wicket win over the USA, which came after a narrow loss to South Africa.
India’s probable playing XI for the Semifinal 2 game against England:
- Rohit Sharma (c)
- Virat Kohli
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Shivam Dubey
- Hardik Pandya
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Axar Patel
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Arshdeep Singh
- Jasprit Bumrah
Key players to watch out for India:
1. Rohit Sharma:
- Captaincy and Batting: Rohit Sharma is known for his exemplary batting skills, particularly in limited-overs cricket. As the captain of the team, his leadership is crucial in guiding India both on and off the field. Rohit’s ability to score big runs consistently and lead from the front makes him a key player.
- Opening Batting: Rohit’s role as an opening batters provides India with strong starts in innings. His ability to dominate the bowling attack from the outset sets a positive tone for the team’s batting performance.
2. Virat Kohli:
- Batting Excellence: Virat Kohli is renowned as one of the best batters in modern cricket across all formats. His consistency in scoring runs, ability to pace innings, and handle pressure situations make him indispensable to India’s batting lineup.
- Fielding and Leadership: Kohli’s athleticism and sharp fielding skills contribute to India’s fielding standards. As a former captain, his experience and strategic acumen provide valuable support to Rohit Sharma in leading the team.
3. Jasprit Bumrah:
- Death Overs Specialist: Jasprit Bumrah is India’s premier fast bowler known for his ability to bowl yorkers and slower balls effectively in the death overs. His accuracy, variations, and ability to handle pressure situations make him a key wicket-taker for India.
- New Ball Impact: Bumrah’s skill in swinging the new ball and generating pace makes him a threat in all phases of the game. His ability to provide early breakthroughs puts opposition batters on the back foot and sets the tone for India’s bowling attack.
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England’s probable playing XI for the Semifinal 2 game against India:
- Phil Salt
- Jos Buttler (c/wk)
- Jonny Bairstow
- Harry Brook
- Moeen Ali
- Liam Livingstone
- Sam Curran
- Jofra Archer
- Adil Rashid
- Mark Wood
- Reece Topley
Key players to watch out for England:
1. Phil Salt:
- Explosive Opening: Salt provides aggressive starts at the top of the order, setting the tone for England’s innings. His ability to score quickly and put pressure on the opposition bowlers early on is crucial for England’s strategy in limited-overs cricket.
- Fielding Prowess: Salt’s athleticism and sharp fielding skills add significant value to the team’s defensive efforts. His ability to cover ground quickly and take crucial catches contributes to England’s overall fielding standards.
2. Jofra Archer:
- Pace and Aggression: Jofra Archer is England’s premier fast bowler, known for his high-speed deliveries and aggressive bowling style. His ability to generate bounce and movement off the pitch makes him a constant threat to opposition batters, often providing crucial breakthroughs.
- Death Over Specialist: Archer’s skill in bowling during the death overs is vital for England’s bowling attack. His ability to bowl accurate yorkers and slower balls under pressure helps contain the opposition’s run-scoring in the final overs.
3. Adil Rashid:
- Spin Bowling Mastery: Adil Rashid is a key player in England’s spin department. His leg-spin bowling, with variations in flight and turn, is effective in both containing runs and taking wickets, especially in the middle overs.
- Partnership Breaker: Rashid’s knack for breaking partnerships and taking crucial wickets at important junctures of the game makes him indispensable. His experience and consistency add depth to England’s bowling attack.
