Eleven years after their last ICC trophy win at the 2013 Champions Trophy, India’s dream of lifting another major title is alive and well under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. With an unbeaten run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Indian team has demonstrated near-perfect execution, particularly in their dominant 68-run victory over England in the semi-final on Thursday, June 27. This victory was especially sweet, burying the memories of their 10-wicket loss to England at the same stage in the 2022 T20 World Cup.
India batted first, amassing 171 runs before dismantling England for a mere 103, a stark reversal from their previous encounter. Here, we examine three critical mistakes that cost England their place in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
#3 Toss Decision
The pitch in Guyana was expected to be slow and low, characteristics that typically deteriorate further under the sun. Despite this, Jos Buttler’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss was perplexing. The pitch had been under covers, which should have signaled an advantage for batting first.
Rohit Sharma eagerly accepted the opportunity to set a target, anticipating the pitch would dry out further and favor his spinners. This decision proved pivotal as England struggled to chase under increasingly difficult conditions. Buttler’s reluctance to use Moeen Ali, despite the evident success of other spinners, added to the baffling choices that contributed to England’s downfall.
#2 Caught in the Spin Web
England’s plan to counter the early pressure backfired as soon as Rohit Sharma introduced Axar Patel into the attack. England’s batsmen were systematically dismantled by the spinners, starting with Jos Buttler’s dismissal attempting a risky reverse sweep against Axar.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav bowled with precision, targeting the stumps and denying England any chance to build momentum. Jonny Bairstow fell victim to a low, skidding delivery from Axar, while Moeen Ali’s adventurous charge down the wicket only led to him being stumped. Kuldeep Yadav then spun a web, finishing with three wickets for 19 runs, leaving England’s batting line-up in tatters and unable to decipher his variations.
#1 Questionable Team Selection
England’s team selection also raised eyebrows. Tom Hartley, who had impressed in the Test series in India, was left out despite the evident spin-friendly conditions. Instead, England opted for four seamers, who struggled to make an impact on the sluggish Guyana pitch.
Moreover, Ben Duckett, known for his proficiency against spin, particularly with his range of sweeps and reverse sweeps, was overlooked. In his absence, England lacked a versatile left-hander in the top order, forcing them to promote Moeen Ali and Sam Curran, neither of whom had Duckett’s ability to counter spin. This lack of adaptability and strategic selection proved costly, as England faltered against India’s three-pronged spin attack.
Conclusion
These three key mistakes—a questionable toss decision, failing to counter spin effectively, and poor team selection—combined to derail England’s campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final against India. As India advances to the final, England is left to ponder what might have been had they made different choices in these crucial areas.
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