England skipper Jos Buttler has issued a subtle warning to India ahead of their highly anticipated T20 World Cup semi-final clash in Guyana on Thursday, June 27th. Buttler anticipates an aggressive approach from the Indian team, mirroring England’s own intent for a high-octane encounter.
This winner-takes-all semi-final match will see the victor progress to the final against South Africa in Barbados on June 29th. For India, the burning desire for revenge against England for their T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final defeat adds an extra layer of motivation.
India boasts an impressive six-match winning streak in the tournament, while England navigated a bumpy group stage before dominating the Super 8s, with only a narrow loss against South Africa disrupting their rhythm. Now, both teams stand face-to-face, replicating the same opponents they faced during England’s title run in 2022.
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Jos Buttler acknowledged India’s shift towards a more aggressive batting approach in white-ball formats, a change likely influenced by their 2022 semi-final loss. However, he emphasized England’s awareness of the Indian threat and their readiness to respond in kind.
Jos Buttler said, “India plays with a lot of freedom and tries to be very aggressive, especially Rohit Sharma the way he bats and leads this team”. (The Standard). pic.twitter.com/3gEDdxxuZC
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 26, 2024
“They play with a hell of a lot of freedom, so they will be very aggressive,” Jos Buttler stated in a video posted by the England Cricket Board. He further elaborated, “We need to be ready for that. Like every other game, we sort of have to assess the conditions and how the wicket will play or what will be the good score. But we know that they will be aggressive, and we will do the same.”
Buttler reminisced about England’s 10-wicket victory over India in the 2022 semi-final, highlighting the crucial dismissal of Suryakumar Yadav as a turning point. He also recalled his own impactful innings, leading England’s chase with a blistering 49-ball 80 that set the tone for their dominant victory.
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This semi-final promises to be a battle of aggression, with both teams prepared to unleash their attacking prowess. Buttler’s pre-match comments underscore the high stakes involved, with neither side willing to give an inch. All eyes will be on Guyana as India and England clash in a must-win encounter, with a chance to claim the coveted T20 World Cup trophy hanging in the balance.
