'England Will Need Something Extraordinary to Beat India': Former England Skipper Warns ENG Ahead of T20 World Cup Semi-final
Team India players celebrate the dismissal of Australia's David Warner during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup cricket match at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia on June 24, 2024. (AP)
It’s almost time for a rematch of the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-finals one more time, now in 2024, as India takes on England yet again to secure a spot in the coveted final of the esteemed tournament.
After what can only be termed as an utter demolition of the Indian side in the past, where England secured a 10-wicker win, former England skipper Paul Collingwood believes that it cannot be the same this time around, especially due to one man: Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah has been in nothing short of subline form for India in this T20 World Cup campaign, picking up 11 wickets from 6 matches with an economy rate of 4.08, cementing himself as the most valuable bowler in the Indian ranks.
“India, with their well-rounded squad, stands out particularly for Jasprit Bumrah’s current form. He’s fit, accurate, fast, and highly skilled. No team seems to have an answer for him. In a 120-ball game, having someone like Bumrah with his pace for 24 balls makes a huge difference,” stated Collingwood.
The last time these two nations faced off in a Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final was just 19 months ago in Adelaide, when a remarkable opening partnership between Jos Buttler and Alex Hales saw England cruise to victory in the sort of manner that forced a complete rethink in India’s T20 strategy.
But, this time around, Collingwood states that that would not be the case against the current Indian team, especially when it seems as if their batters, mainly skipper Rohit Sharma seem to
India has looked confident even in tough situations and on difficult pitches in America. Their batters, like Rohit Sharma who played a magnificent innings against Australia, seem to be back in form,”q added Collingwood.
Honestly, I can’t see India losing this time. England will need something extraordinary to beat them.”
England are two games away from becoming the first men’s team to retain a T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, India have not won this tournament since its inception back in 2007, and are searching for their first World Cup win in any format since 2011.
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