How the Men in Blue snatched the initiative back from Australia after surrendering it for a while to win the Super Eights round match by 24 runs was brilliant. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s 92 from 41 deliveries was the main difference between the two teams. While making those runs with his famous ease and aggression, Sharma created significant records, surpassing Pakistan’s Babar Azam’s 4,145 T20I runs to reach 4,165 runs, the highest number of runs by any batsman in the format. He went past Virat Kohli (4,103 runs) even earlier to become the leading scorer for India in T20Is. After this win, the undefeated Men in Blue have sailed into the knockout stage of the 2024 T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
A young Indian squad led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the first-ever edition of the prestigious tournament in 2007. The Men in Blue led by Dhoni reached the finals of the 2014 edition in which Sri Lanka beat them by six wickets with more than two overs to spare. Virat Kohli sparkled with a 58-ball 77, but the absence of significant contributions from the others resulted in India’s ordinary total of 130/4, which Sri Lanka surpassed easily. England had demolished India in the semis of the 2022 edition, winning by ten wickets against the Rohit Sharma-led team. Sharma and his men will seek revenge against England, their opponents in the semis once again. India’s spotless record in the tournament has made them the pre-match favourites — in a game of glorious uncertainties.
The Men in Blue’s performance as a unit has gradually improved as the tournament has progressed. The fielding, a key component, has given little reason for complaint. The best instance of India’s performance on the field was the team’s near-flawless show against Australia, who were guilty of making several glaring errors. India must carry the same form forward in the knockout stage as they eye the ultimate glory that has eluded them for a long time.
Unsurprisingly, the star of the Indian bowling attack has been the always-reliable Jasprit Bumrah. The mild-mannered speedster with unorthodox action has been frequently unplayable, and his 11 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 4.08 runs makes an emphatic statement of his effectiveness. Bumrah has been extremely difficult to score off because of his variations in speed, unpredictable movement, and, of course, his ability to anticipate the batsman’s next move. He has been an asset for Sharma because he knows that Bumrah won’t bowl a 20-plus over no matter when he is asked to bowl — and possibly, also pick up that crucial wicket.
Ever since Kuldeep Yadav walked into the playing eleven three matches earlier, the left-arm wrist spinner has used his control and variations to the fullest to add significant strength to the bowling attack. He has impeded the flow of runs in the middle overs, picking up seven wickets at an economy rate of 6.25. Arshdeep Singh has silenced critics who were questioning his inclusion at the start of the tournament by picking up 15 wickets at an economy rate of 7.41.
Hardik Pandya has been near-perfect in the role assigned to him: the third seamer and a finisher with the bat. Eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.47 and useful performances with the bat, including a Player-of-the-Match-winning unbeaten 50 against Bangladesh, testify to his significance in his squad. Axar Patel has been useful, too, bowling his slow left-arm deliveries accurately, although he hasn’t got as many opportunities with the bat as he would have liked.
Among the batters, Sharma’s return to sublime form before the semis could not have happened at a better time. A batsman, who always places the team’s interest ahead of personal glory, Sharma must stay at his best. The gifted Rishabh Pant has been among the runs, but his highest score of 42 against Pakistan indicates that he hasn’t been able to get a big one yet. Suryakumar Yadav has been what only he can be: a free-scoring batsman who has pierced the field with his inventive shots all around the wicket. Although SKY has hit two half-centuries, his team and fans must be expecting a magical knock from him in the semis.
Team India has its share of concerns, too. Shivam Dube has got some runs under his belt, but his strike rate of 107.07 is ordinary. The great Virat Kohli has experienced a sudden loss of form, scoring a paltry 66 runs in six innings. Great players rise to the occasion in big matches, and one must hope that Kohli will dazzle in the next match. Ravindra Jadeja has been unable to contribute with either the bat or the ball. The fact that he has managed to hold on to his place in the playing eleven indicates that he won’t be dropped from the squad for the semis.
The clean record in the ongoing edition notwithstanding, India need to deliver yet another convincing performance in the semis. The Men in Blue can do it, but we must not try to guess the outcome right now.
The writer, a journalist for three decades, writes on literature and pop culture. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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