India is once again through to the semi-finals of another World Cup; this has now been a regular event for Indian spectators. However, once again the Men in Blue take on the defending champions, just like their semi-final at Adelaide in 2022.
However, is this the same English side that poses an equal threat to the in-form Indian side? The answer would be a clear no. England lacked competence in a very shaggy title defense in the 50-over World Cup late in 2023 in India.
Though conditions were blamed for their shacky run in the World Cup last year in the subcontinent, what is to be blamed for their inconsistent performance in the Caribbean tournament as well?
Though India has also been put to the test several times in the tournament, their response has been highly impressive, while England has only been creeping slowly at the back of associate opponents and has managed a low-profile entry into the semis, only having earned a firm victory over co-hosts the West Indies.
Except for Buttler, all of England’s batters from Salt, Bairstow, to Moeen have not shown any major revival of form. However, Brook and Livingstone, though not put much into the test yet, have put in good efforts, and England would hence pin their hopes more on their bowling deck led by spinner Adil Rashid.
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Spinners from either team will have a major role to play, as Adil Rashid remains to be a top choice against veteran Indian batters Rohit, Virat, and Suryakumar Yadav. While Archer would find his best groove against India’s lower-order finishers Dube and Pandya. With likely either side making no changes ahead of the semis, Kuldeep Yadav, alongside Axar, will have a huge role to play against the troubled English middle order.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, however, still keeps up with his one-game-at-a-time theory and denies thinking too far ahead of the game. He keeps insisting on keeping it simple, maintaining a low profile, and facing whatever the conditions are when they get out on the field at Guyana on the 27th.
He said on the eve of the match
“See, we want to treat this game as another game that we have played in this tournament. We don’t want to think about what lies ahead, what is the context of the game, and all of that. Everyone knows in the back of their mind it’s a semi-final. But you don’t want to keep talking about it again and again and again. And not to think about what has happened in the past,”
England would pin their hopes on the skipper and their bowlers, while the Men in Blue would look at their captain Rohit after his splendorous display against the Aussies. However, India would also look at SKY, Hardik and Bumrah. The winners face the World Cup final debutants South Africa at Kensington Oval on Saturday.
Lastly, the veteran’s Virat return to form would be a deep desire of every cricket fan before they take on the defending champions. Everyone would hope the legendary batter to have a great go if this turns out to be his last dance in the World Cup of this format.