England’s hopes of defending their T20 World Cup title were dashed after a comprehensive 68-run defeat in the semi-final against India. Skipper Jos Buttler, however, refused to attribute the loss to his decision to field first after winning the toss.
Following a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield, Buttler opted to bowl, anticipating the advantage of chasing on a potentially rain-affected pitch at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. India’s captain Rohit Sharma capitalized on the conditions, leading with a crucial half-century as India posted a formidable 171-7 on a slow surface.
Reflecting on the match, Buttler acknowledged India’s superior performance and admitted England conceded 20-25 extra runs on a challenging pitch that gradually favored spin. England’s top-order collapse, tumbling to 49-5, further compounded their woes as they struggled against India’s spinners, particularly Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who each claimed three wickets.
Buttler lamented not utilizing off-spinner Moeen Ali earlier in the bowling attack, recognizing hindsight might have favored a different strategy given the spin-friendly conditions.
Meanwhile, India’s Sharma praised his team’s adaptability to the pitch conditions, emphasizing their strategic shift as the match progressed. Initially targeting a competitive total of 140-150, India adjusted their aim to 170, capitalizing on their batsmen’s instincts while keeping their target flexible.
Ultimately, Sharma credited India’s bowlers for defending their total effectively, sealing their place in the final with a disciplined performance.
