Can India sail past England in the semi-final clash at the ‘Land of Waters’?

By K.R. Nayar
From Providence Stadium, Guyana

Guyana is known as the "Land of Many Waters" because of the numerous rivers that criss-cross this region. Although Indian fans outnumber that of England, the question they have in their minds is whether India can sail past England into the final. The number of sixes that have sailed out of the boundary from captain Rohit Sharma’s bat during his breezy 92 against Australia in the Super Eight match at St. Lucia gives them hope that it could be a smooth glide into the final.

 

Team India all set for the semifinal against England 

England’s official Twitter account posted a tweet to provoke India, asking them to recall what happened the last time both teams clashed in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final. India posted 168 for 6 in 20 overs, and England won by 10 wickets, with Jos Butler hitting an unbeaten 80 and Alex Hales an unconquered 84. They won with 24 balls to spare.

The BCCI Twitter account hasn't responded because India had just avenged their defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Cup in India. Moreover, it was felt that there was no need to respond since India has remained unbeaten in this World Cup. England lost to South Africa and finished second in their group before reaching the semifinal.

 

Rohit Sharma - leading from the front 

For people who wonder why Team India is not bothered by such remarks or threats, it was explained by coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Sharma. Dravid, in one of the press conferences, said, “I don't look back on things. I try and do what I am doing now at the moment. I am not concerned about what happened in 1997 or some other year.” This message has been passed on to everyone in the team.

 

Sharma, after the win against Australia, said that the opponent does not matter to him. “Play freely and not think too much about what's lying ahead. Do not think about the opposition. We have been doing it consistently, and we just need to continue.”



Whether the Indian team players are bothered about the England players or not, it is important to know what is expected off the contest. It can be a battle between two great hitters of the game - England’s Jos Butler and India’s Sharma. It could have been a comparison between Virat Kohli and Butler too, but unfortunately, Kohli is yet to find his nick in this tournament. Maybe Kohli is waiting to prove that he is a big match star and is keeping his best for the semifinal, and probably the final.

 

If Butler is a destroyer of bowlers, Sharma is now a demolisher of attacks. Butler will be walking in fresh from his unbeaten knock of 83 against the USA, and Sharma after his breezy 92, which is the fastest knock in this tournament. The match also has a rain threat. If the match is called off, India will be in the final based on their superior performance in the Super Eight contests.

 

Boom Boom Bumrah

Whether India’s Boom Boom Bumrah will strike or fans will get to watch only the thunderstorm, remains to be seen. It is surely a high-voltage clash of the tournament. England has Jofra Archer and Moeen Ali, both of whom can strike.

 

In a semi-final clash, any department can stand out, with spinners like Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel turning into match-winners. A lot also depends on how well the team fields. To reach a final and eventually become a champion, one has to sparkle in all departments of the game.

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