Washout Scare and Debatable Rulings Overshadow Thrilling T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
On Thursday, the semi-final between England and India in Guyana was a potential washout, which would have been disastrous for the ongoing T20 World Cup. The fact that one semi-final, played between South Africa and Afghanistan, had a reserve day while the other did not has raised some concerns. The ruling that the group topper would advance to the final in case of an abandonment is also debatable.
Interestingly, India knew beforehand where their semi-final would be held, adding an interesting layer to the tournament. Ultimately, the match was played, and the conditions on offer were probably the most challenging for the England side. The pitch was more akin to those found in India, rather than England, which did not suit their natural style of play. Despite England’s attempts to go hard in the powerplay, their shots did not come off, and India posted a score that was 15-20 runs above par.
“Axar Patel emerged as the star performer for India, while Kuldeep Yadav also bowled impressively, showcasing his marked improvement, particularly in the last two years, with his variations in pace. Jasprit Bumrah’s cutter to dismiss Phil Salt set the tone for the match.”
When England exit a global tournament, the question of who to blame often arises. However, this team should not face too much criticism, as they have performed reasonably well and reached the semi-finals without being at their absolute best. While expectations are high given the team’s talent, Rob Key, England’s men’s managing director, will need to review the current state of their white-ball setup after the disappointing 50-over World Cup last year.
South Africa’s historic victory over Afghanistan in the other semi-final was well-deserved, with their fast bowlers delivering an outstanding performance to bowl out Afghanistan for just 56. The uneven pitch in Trinidad was not befitting of a World Cup semi-final, but South Africa’s consistent and well-balanced side, like India, entered the final unbeaten.
In the final, the left-handed duo of Quinton de Kock and David Miller will play crucial roles for South Africa, with De Kock aiming to get them off to a flyer and Miller tasked with taking on India’s left-arm spinners in the middle overs.
While South Africa have a strong case, I’m leaning towards India lifting the trophy at the Kensington Oval, having seen their impressive display under pressure against England in the semi-final. Jasprit Bumrah, with his unorthodox trajectory, pace, and wonderful change-ups, is the player to watch for India. His ability to make something happen even on a flat pitch, as well as his exceptional death-over skills, make him a true X-factor for the team.
Hopefully, the final will be played on a pitch in Bridgetown that offers pace and bounce, aiding exciting strokeplay. However, with both teams possessing canny slow bowlers, spin is sure to play a crucial role in determining the winner of the T20 World Cup.
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