Team India (Source : Twitter )

Team India (IND) will take on England (ENG) in Semi-Final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2024, at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, on Thursday, June 27. The Men in Blue have been riding high on their unbeaten run in the Group Stages and the Super 8 stages of the tournament. On the other hand, England have huffed and puffed their way to the semis winning two out of four Group Stage games and two out of three Super 8 games. It is worth noting that both teams met in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup and England had thwarted India by 10 wickets. 

India have managed to sneak in wins with bigger margins resulting in a surge in their Net Run Rate. The upcoming game will provide an edge to the Indians as even if it gets washed out, they will be through to the Finals. It is welcoming news for the side that Rohit Sharma is back in form and among the runs in the last game against Australia. Besides, Hardik Pandya’s leaking runs in the middle has been an area of concern. Amid other spinners creating an impact, star allrounder Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket drought continues.

 

Here’s India’s predicted XI against England:

Openers: Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Getty Images)

Rohit Sharma was lethal against Australia in the previous game as he took their bowlers to the cleaners. He smashed 29 runs off Mitchell Starc’s over and ended the debate about his nervousness against left-arm pacers. He smashed 92 runs off just 41 deliveries and India can breathe a sigh of relief as one of their openers is back in form.

Virat Kohli’s rough patch does not seem to end the batter has continued his struggle while opening for India throughout the tournament. Kohli has only managed 66 runs in six innings with two ducks and a highest score of 37. The batter was instrumental as an opener for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, but his struggle with the bat in the ongoing tournament does open up a window of potential batting collapse.

Middle Order: Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube

Rishabh Pant. (Source – Twitter/X)

Rishabh Pant has been given a free license to continue his risky approach batting at number three. The southpaw bailed out India against Pakistan with a gritty knock of 42 runs. He has continued his fearless approach and his ability to build partnerships when openers fail to capitalise provides India insurance to think big despite losing early wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav has managed to strike a balance between conservative and attacking approaches as the batter has built his innings around timely boundaries and quick running between the wickets. His approach of going after the bowlers from the word go has ricocheted badly and the batters will aim to exude some patience in the middle.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Runs

Shivam Dube has shown glimpses of his usual self but his strike rate has been under par compared to the standards set in the IPL. The batter has time and again failed to counter the short-pitch deliveries and has lacked intent against the spinners. Owing to the slow pitches in the Caribbean the batters were backed by the management, as the pitches in the knockouts are pre-empted to aid the big hitters, he will aim to utilize the conditions.

Allrounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja

Hardik Pandya. (Source – Twitter/X)

Hardik Pandya has been in roaring form at the T20 World Cup 2024, delivering with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has played crucial cameos down the order and plucked timely wickets. His two-wicket contribution against Pakistan was gold dust and a half-century against Bangladesh was lauded by several fanatics. He was taken to the cleaners by Travis Head in the previous game, leading him to rethink his line and length.

Axar Patel is the trump card for the Indian team in the tournament. The southpaw has shown his prowess with bat and ball and has been mercurial with his fielding as well. His ability to bowl the economical spells in the middle overs leading up to the death overs has become the turning point for the team while defending the target. He provides flexibility for the team with his ability to bat at any position.

Ravindra Jadeja has been lukewarm in the tournament so far, the all-rounder has contributed with his fielding but has let down with the bat and ball. Bowling just one over in the last game against Australia, he conceded 17 runs. As a bowler has been constrained from bowling the tossed-up delivery and extra pace have made results go against him.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh

Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: ICC)

Kuldeep Yadav was benched for the whole of Group Stages matches and has been delivering goods for the team whenever he was handed the ball. The spinner has picked seven wickets in the three games he has featured in. He was particularly at his best against Australia, picking three wickets that changed the course of the game.

Also Check: T20 World Cup 2024 Most Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah has been the star performer for India in the T20 World Cup 2024, the pacer has picked 11 wickets in six games and has an impressive economy rate of 4.08. Speaking of the last game, after being hit for runs, he made a comeback by picking Travis Head’s wicket. The right-arm pacer is known to deliver on big stages and knockouts will be something he has set his eyes on.

Arshdeep Singh is the highest wicket-taker for India in the tournament, picking 15 wickets in six games. He is in the second position of the highest wicket-takers on the tournament’s list. He has an expensive economy rate of 7.41, which is a concern for the team going into the knockout stages where the pitches will potentially aid the batters.

India’s Predicted Playing XI

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya (VC), Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh.