Team India etched their name in cricketing history as they proudly claimed the title of the first team to advance from Group 1 of the Super 8 to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals. Seizing victory with a commanding 24run lead over Australia at the illustrious Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Monday June 24 the Men in Blue solidified their path to glory.
Australia made the strategic choice to field first after winning the toss. The start for team India was lackluster with Virat Kohli departing for a zero. Yet the scenestealer was skipper Rohit Sharma who delivered a blazing performance notching up an impressive 92 runs from a mere 41 balls.
Suryakumar Yadav (31), Shivam Dube (28), and Hardik Pandya (27*) all contributed significantly to the team’s total of 205/5 in 20 overs. Josh Hazlewood was the standout Australian bowler, finishing with statistics of 4-0-14-1.
Travis Head, Australia’s opening batsman, was the standout performance in the run chase, scoring 76 runs. However, his efforts were in fruitless, as the team finished at 181/7 after 20 overs, suffering a 24-run loss.
Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav took two. Following the match, some fans and cricketers flocked to social media to express their delight at India’s qualification.
Here are some of the leading reactions:
India is gearing up to confront England in the semifinals at Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday June 27. A multitude of fans have highlighted the golden opportunity for the Rohit Sharmaled team to seek retribution following their heartbreaking 10wicket loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals.
“Another India vs England Semifinal in the T20 World Cup. We have some unfinished business,” wrote a fan.
“Congratulations India for securing the semis.Thanks to this man, leading from the front, they’ll face England (if I’m not wrong ). A revenge round the corner vs the team i hate the most, can’t wait,” commented another.
“Next target is England. Take the revenge of 2022,” chimed in yet another.
“We don’t want to do anything different” – Rohit Sharma on India’s semifinals clash vs England
Speaking at the post-match presentation after India’s Super 8 match against Australia, Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated that the team will not do anything fresh in the knockout round.
He said that the team should try to play freely without caring about the outcome. Rohit Sharma said:
“We don’t want to do anything different, play the same way and understand what each person has to do. Play freely and not think too much on what’s lying ahead. Not think about the opposition. We have been doing it consistently, just need to continue. (On playing England in semi) It will be a nice match, nothing changes for us as a team.”
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma team is currently maintaining an impeccable record in the 2024 T20 World Cup tournament. They have vanquished opponents such as Ireland the United States of America and Pakistan in the group stage and continued their winning streak by defeating Afghanistan Bangladesh and Australia in the subsequent Super 8 stage.