India are once again only a step closer to clinching ICC trophy after crushing England in the T20 World Cup 2024 semifinal in Guyana on June 28. Rohit's brigade has stormed into the final following a convincing 68-run win over Jos Buttler's men. This is not the first time India have made it to the ICC event's final. Before this they made it to the finals of World Test Championship 2023 and then ODI World Cup 2023 but crashed to the same opponent, Australia to extend their ICC trophy drought since 2013 Champions trophy. However, this time around Rohit Sharma looks confident of lifting the trophy
On June 28, Rohit's men produced a sensational show to gun down the defending champions. Batting first they rode on Rohit Sharma's brilliant 57 off 39 and Suryakumar Yadav's 47 off 36. In reply, England were of no match to Men In Blue as they were flatted by Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav's spin wizardry, who chipped in with three wickets each.
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After the match, on being asked about whether India can end ICC trophy drought in the T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit said:
“You got to play good cricket and that's what we want to do in the final as well. We'll try our best, that's all I can say. The team is in good shape, they are playing well. All I can hope is to put up another good show come the finals."
Confident Rohit Sharma's Spin Vision Pays Off
Indian captain's faith in his spin attack proved to be a masterstroke. Knowing the slow pitch would favor his "gun spinners," Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, Rohit felt a score of 171 would be a challenge. His prediction was spot-on. Kuldeep and Axar lived up to their billing, sharing six wickets between them as India dominated England, securing a convincing 68-run victory and booking their place in their third T20 World Cup final.
"At one stage, 145-150, as the game went on, after that partnership, we said another 25 runs. I can set the target in my mind, but I don't want to let anyone know about it, to the batters. They are all instinctive players. I thought 170 was a very good score on this surface," Rohit said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Kuldeep and Axar's phenomenal spell of 6 for 42 in just 8 overs put India in a commanding position.
"They (Axar and Kuldeep) are gun spinners. It's difficult to play some shots, the pressure is on them as well but they were calm and knew what to bowl. If the players play according to the conditions, things fall in place. Very pleasing with how we came through," he added.
Rohit was a happy captain after India's stellar all-round show which helped them to take another shot at ICC trophy.
“Very satisfying to win this game. We worked really hard as a unit. To win this game like that was a great effort from everybody. We adapted to the conditions really well. The conditions were a little challenging, we had to adapt and that's been the success story for us so far till this game. We have adapted to the conditions really well, played the conditions really well. The bowlers and the batters, if they play according to the conditions, things falls in place and that's exactly what happened for us today. Very pleasing to see how we came through this game,” Rohit said after the win.
Rohit defends out-of-form Virat Kohli
Rohit also threw his weight behind Virat Kohli, who extended his poor form in the T20 World Cup semifinal against England. Kohli crashed after scoring just 9 off 9. In a span of seven innings, Kohli, who won Orange Cap in the IPL 2024, has only managed to score 75 runs so far. Rohit exuded confidence on Kohli after the match and said that the batting maestro is saving best for the last.
“He (Kohli) is a quality player. Any player can go through that. We do understand his class and we do understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem. When you've played cricket for 15 years, form is never a problem. He's looking good, the intent is there, he's probably saving for the final. Absolutely (backing Kohli for the final),” Rohit concluded.
India will now lock horns with South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on June 29.
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