T20 World Cup 2024: Street smart spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel blank England as Team India avenges 2022 defeat

Add as a preferred source on Google

Guyana, Jun 27: India spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel demonstrated their match-winning prowess with the ball, leading Rohit Sharma's side to a decisive victory over England in the ICC T20 World Cup semifinal on Thursday (June 27).

Utilising the slow pitch conditions in Guyana to his advantage, Kuldeep and Axar spun a web of deceit to dismantle England's batting order, helping India bowl out the star-studded team for a mere 103 runs in 16.4 overs and secure a commanding 68-run win. Also Read: T20 WC 2024: Highest Run Getter | Most Wickets

With this victory, coach Rahul Dravid's team also avenged the semi-final defeat against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup 2022 where Jos Buttler's boys humiliated Team India with a commanding 10-wicket win. Fast forward to 2024, Team India took a sweet revenge by knocking the defending champions out of the competition.

Kuldeep, who had patiently waited for his chance during the group stages in which fast bowlers thrived-made an immediate impact upon India's arrival in the Caribbean. Skipper Rohit Sharma made a strategic decision to replace Mohammed Siraj with Kuldeep, a move that paid off handsomely.

While Patel has consistently delivered for India throughout the tournament, Kuldeep emerged as the key match-winner from the Super 8 stages onward. He consistently picked up wickets and maintained an economical bowling rate.

Rohit Sharma brought Axar Patel into the attack in the fourth over, and the left-arm spinner made an immediate impact by dismissing a dangerous-looking Jos Buttler with his very first delivery, opening the floodgates. In the following over, Axar bowled Jonny Bairstow with a beautiful delivery for a duck. His next victim was Moeen Ali, who was stumped by Rishabh Pant for 8.

In the crucial semifinal against England, Kuldeep was brought into the attack in the sixth over and finished with impressive figures of 3/19. His scalps included Sam Curran, Harry Brook, and Chris Jordan.

One of the highlights of Kuldeep's performance was the dismissal of Harry Brook. Despite being hit for a six, Kuldeep cleverly induced Brook to play a reverse sweep, leading to his bowled dismissal. This wicket showcased Kuldeep's tactical acumen and ability to outthink the batsmen.

Kuldeep's performance not only propelled India into the final but also saw him achieve a personal milestone of 200 T20 wickets. His ability to deliver in high-stakes matches reinforces his reputation as one of India's premier spinners.

Credit should also be given to the Indian captain for accurately assessing the slow nature of the pitch and strategically introducing his two street-smart bowlers, each with unique skill sets, at different stages of the game. Bringing in Axar early proved to be a masterstroke, as the Gujarat spinner has a history of troubling English batters on spin-friendly tracks.

Captain Rohit deployed Kuldeep in the seventh over, immediately after the fielding restrictions were lifted. The Chinaman bowler confidently flighted his deliveries and wrong 'uns, enticing the batters to go on the attack and they played the price eventually.

Indian spinner's comprehensive performance against England sets the stage for an exciting final, with the team riding high on momentum and confidence. Kuldeep and Axar's stellar performance in the semifinal will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best matches.

Team India will now face South Africa in the highly-anticipated final on June 29 in Barbados and the new champion of the T20 World Cup will be decided with a showdown between two unbeaten sides. Spinners are likely to play an important role for the Men in Blue in that game as well.