Rohit Sharma the Indian captain playfully remarked that if the Men in Blues 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal clash against England drags on pretty late they may risk missing their chartered flight. In a lighthearted jest he quipped that the ICC and Cricket West Indies should take charge of their travel arrangements.
The clash between the Men in Blue and the Englishmen unfolds in the second semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday June 27 with the commencement scheduled for 8 p.m IST (10:30 a.m. local time).
While there is a reserve day for the South Africa-Afghanistan semifinal, the India-England match must be finished on the same day because the final is planned on June 29.
Rohit Sharma the captain of the Indian team amusingly remarked that in case the intense 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal against England drags on until the wee hours the Men in Blue might risk waving goodbye to their chartered flight. This lighthearted jest was coupled with a witty observation that the onus of managing their travel arrangements lies squarely on the shoulders of the ICC and Cricket West Indies.
“The overhead conditions is in nobody’s control, you don’t know what is going to happen. The only thing I am worried is if the game goes on till pretty late, we have a chartered flight, and we might miss that [sic].”
“But that is ok, it is the ICC and Cricket West Indies’ headache to get us to the next venue. We will focus on how we can play this game well and get the result in our favor. Two good cricket teams are going to play, so it’s going to be a great game.”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma also disputed with the assertion that India had an unfair advantage, pointing out that the ICC had previously decided that the Men in Blue would play the second semifinal in Guyana if they qualified.
Countering the claim, Rohit Sharma stated that England’s players are equally fully aware of the circumstances in the West Indies.
“I don’t think it is an advantage. A lot of these players have played in different types of venues. I am sure a lot of English cricketers have played here. So I don’t see it as an advantage, at the end of the day, you have to play good cricket to win. That is how I look at it.”
Rohit Sharma
India was assigned the second semifinal in Guyana due to viewing concerns. While the first semifinal begins at 6 a.m. IST, the second semifinal begins at 8 p.m. IST, making it easier for Indian fans to follow the action.
What happened when India and England met in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal?
India and England met in the 2022 T20 World Cups second semifinal in Australia. During the knockout clash in Adelaide England dominated over India with a comprehensive victory outscoring them by 10 wickets.
Batting first in Adelaide Team India posted a respectable 1686 led by an explosive 63 off 33 deliveries from Hardik Pandya while Virat Kohli contributed 50 off 40 balls. However the dynamic duo of Alex Hales (86* off 47) and Jos Buttler (80* off 49) efficiently chased down the target in just 16 overs ultimately knocking India out of the competition.