England’s T20 World Cup 2024 journey came to an abrupt halt in the semi-finals, where they were thoroughly outplayed by an in-form Indian team in Guyana. Set a challenging target of 172 runs, England crumbled under the pressure, getting bowled out for just 103, which handed India a comprehensive 68-run victory and a spot in the tournament’s final.
On a pitch that slowed down as the game progressed, India’s decision to effectively utilize spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav proved pivotal. In contrast, England skipper Jos Buttler admitted his strategic oversight in not employing Moeen Ali as a second spinner, a decision that cost them dearly.
Reflecting on the match, Jos Buttler acknowledged their shortcomings. “A little bit of both. I thought they played well as well, I thought we bowled a little bit without luck in the power play, a few close calls there. But, yes, I think the benefit of hindsight and reflecting, I would have got Moeen [Ali] in the game of course. So, yes, bits and pieces here and there,” he stated, as reported by Cricbuzz.
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Expressing his disappointment, Jos Buttler added, “Yeah, disappointing. I think we were outplayed by India. They fully deserved the victory. So, yeah, I thought they had an above-par score. I was hoping to restrict them to 145 – 150 probably on that pitch. It was always going to be a tough chase from there.”
Despite valiant efforts from England’s primary spinners, Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, who collectively bowled eight overs for 49 runs and took one wicket, the team struggled. In the second innings, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav dismantled England’s batting lineup, each taking three wickets and leaving England reeling.
Post-match, Jos Buttler acknowledged that India’s spinners outperformed his team’s. “Obviously, they’ve got some fantastic spinners. Our two guys bowled well, but in hindsight, I should have brought Moeen [on] in that innings, with the way that the spin was playing. Obviously with the rain around in those conditions, I probably didn’t think it was going to change that much, and I actually don’t think it really did. I thought they out-bowled us. They had an above-par score. So I don’t think necessarily the toss was the difference between the teams,” he explained.
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In summary, Buttler’s admission and England’s performance highlighted the tactical missteps and superior execution by India, which paved the way for their emphatic victory and progression to the T20 World Cup final.
