India, Afghanistan, South Africa and England — the four survivors of the 'Super 8s' have finally been spotted. This has been a rare, collector’s edition of a
T20 World Cup
where the ball, for once, has mostly dominated the bat. We have also witnessed a clutch of humdingers, and it’s likely more nerve-racking encounters are in store in the two semifinals on Thursday.
INDIA vs ENGLAND
June 27, 8 pm IST
Venue: Providence, Guyana
Chances of Rain: 88% (no reserve day)
HEAD TO HEAD: India have won 12, or 52%, of 23 T20 games.
In T20 WC, both teams have won two matches each out of four, though the last meeting in 2022 saw England hammering India by 10 wickets
INDIA (World No. 1)
Formbook: Red hot, undefeated. Won every group game, barring an abandoned match against Canada. Waltzed past Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia in Super 8
Positives: Unplayable paceman Bumrah and wicket-scalping ‘chinaman’ Kuldeep Yadav. Batter-skipper Rohit Sharma in six-hitting form. Pandya’s return to runs (average 58, team’s highest) and wickets (8) has added depth and value to the unit. Will enjoy crowd support
Concerns: Kohli’s run shortage. Lack of form of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Dube’s inability to up the tempo (strike rate 107). Arshdeep taking wickets (15) but shows lack of control under pressure. Casual running between the wickets by middle order.
Crucial Question: Can this team replace pressure for pleasure in a knockout game? Can it avenge the thrashing at Melbourne in 2022?
Hot Star: Jasprit Bumrah, the complete fast bowler. 11 wickets. Avg 8.5. Economy rate 4.1.
ENGLAND (World No. 3 & defending champions)
Formbook: Blow hot, blow cold. Captain Jos Buttler’s team has been ruthless against lesser sides but lost to Australia (group stage) & South Africa (Super 8)
Positives: Supreme belief in their all-attack approach. Match-winning and fearsome opening pair of Buttler and Phil Salt. Bat deep. Variety and depth in bowling. Speed gun Jofra Archer among wickets (9). Leg-spinner Adil Rashid is the trump card
Concerns: Australia showed England’s bowling can be clobbered; South Africa proved their batters can be checkmated. Absence of wickets for T20 specialist pacer Reece Topley
Crucial Question: Do they have an answer to the contrasting magic of Bumrah and Kuldeep?
Hot Star: Harry Brook. Adds firepower to the middle order. Has been dismissed only once so far; average 120, strike rate 164
SOUTH AFRICA (world No. 5) vs AFGHANISTAN (world No. 10)
June 27, 6 am IST
Venue: Tarouba,T rinidad & Tobago
Chances of Rain: 37% (there is a reserve day)
Head To Head: The two teams have faced off on two occasions, both in World Cups. South Africa lead 2-0
Formbook: Afghanistan defeated New Zealand (group game) and Australia (Super 8s). South Africa, the only unbeaten team so far apart from India, have won several tight encounters to underline that this team has shrugged off the tag of ‘chokers’
Key Players: For Afghanistan, keeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Captain Rashid Khan’s bowling unit, especially pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi & Naveen ul Haq, are among the most effective. For South Africa, opener Quinton de Kock, wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen & pacemen Kagiso Rabada & Nortje. Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi is the dark horse
English (US) ·