India advanced to the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup championship match against South Africa thanks to three wickets each from spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel. Earlier in the day, India defeated England, the reigning champions, by 68 runs in the second semifinal at Providence Stadium.

Following skipper Rohit Sharma’s 39-ball fifty-run knock, which, together with 37 off 36 balls from Suryakumar Yadav, helped India post a challenging 171/7 on a sticky wicket, England were bowled out for 103 with to excellent spells from Axar and Kuldeep.

Jos Buttler gave England a great start in their chase of 172 by hitting four boundaries, three of which came from Arshdeep, with 26 runs coming from the opening three overs. However, Axar teamed up with Jasprit Bumrah to leave England in ruins. Buttler attempted a reverse sweep on Axar’s first ball, but he gave keeper Rishabh Pant a top edge.

England concluded the power-play at 39/3 after Bumrah used his off-cutter to rattle Phil Salt’s leg-stump and Axar got one to remain low and smash Bairstow’s off-stump to remove him for a duck.

Moeen Ali attempted to flick off Axar, but the ball bounced off his thigh pad, making matters worse for England. Pant immediately gathered the ball and stumped Ali as he was walking out of the wicket.

Kuldeep came to put England even more on the back foot. He got one to spin back in and catch Chris Jordan leg-stump, then he trapped Sam Curran plumb lbw in front of the middle stump.

Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid were run outs as a consequence of confusion, and when Bumrah caught Jofra Archer leg before wicket, it set off joyous celebrations in Guyana 2024, where the aspiration to capture the coveted title remained intact for a dominant India.

Quick scores:

England scored 103 in 16.4 overs (Harry Brook 25; Kuldeep Yadav 3-19, Axar Patel 3-23) losing to India 171/7 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 57, Suryakumar Yadav 47; Chris Jordan 3-37, Adil Rashid 1-25) by 68 runs.

Quick scores:

England scored 103 in 16.4 overs (Harry Brook 25; Kuldeep Yadav 3-19, Axar Patel 3-23) losing to India 171/7 in 20 overs (Rohit Sharma 57, Suryakumar Yadav 47; Chris Jordan 3-37, Adil Rashid 1-25) by 68 runs.