From decimating Pakistan to taking revenge from England, India's road to the T20 World Cup final

India is through to the finals! Yes, after waiting for a long 10 years and breaking the jinx, India convincingly beat England by a 68-run margin in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2024. Now, India will play against South Africa at the Kensington Oval, Barbados. It’s fair to say that India’s journey to the final has been nothing short of clean, spotless, and sparkling. By winning all seven matches and providing perfect entertainment to the fans with their amazing cricketing display, the Men in Blue are charming everyone.

Since the countdown has begun for the mega clash, let’s have a sneak peek at all 7 games India played and how they clinched each and every game like the T20I No. 1 team.

India’s road to T20 World Cup 2024 final

Humbling the Irish side! (India vs Ireland)

With the power-packed performance by Indian bowlers, led by the one and only Jasprit Bumrah who picked 2 wickets and conceded just 6 runs in his 3 overs, the Men in Blue started their campaign by crushing the Ireland side by 8 wickets.

India restricted Ireland to a low score of 96 runs. When India came to bat, they dominated the Ireland bowlers, especially Rohit Sharma, who made an impressive 52 runs at a strike rate of 140, leading the team to this impressive win.

Demolished Pakistan in a thriller (India vs Pakistan)

And then came the mother of all clashes, India vs Pakistan. This game was surely not for the faint-hearted, as initially, India’s batters fell like a deck of cards. Despite a few partnerships here and there, India went all out for a score of 119 after being 89/3 at one point.

But come the hour, come the legend. Once again, Jasprit Bumrah did wonders with the ball, initially shocking Pakistan’s batters. The game, which seemed in control for Pakistan, suddenly slipped away. It was rightly Indian bowlers’ day on June 9th, as Pakistan was bowled out for 113. Each bowler, from Bumrah to Pandya to Arshdeep, performed brilliantly, helping India clinch this thriller by 6 runs.

Low-scoring encounter against tournament debutant (India vs USA)

India then faced off against the USA, who were in good form, especially playing well at home and having beaten sides like Pakistan. They were riding high before clashing with India. However, when they met the men in blue, USA’s batters, who had been in good form, but suffered a shock against India’s bowling lineup, especially Arshdeep Singh, who scalped 4 wickets. As a result, USA were bowled out for just 110 runs.

Although USA’s bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar and Ali Khan mounted a counterattack, with Netravalkar taking crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and Ali Khan dismissing Rishabh Pant, providing a minor hiccup to India’s chase. Thanks to India’s middle order, Shivam Dube, who had been inconsistent with his form before the game, secured the win for India. Additionally, Suryakumar Yadav, a T20I specialist, took charge and made fifty. India won the game by 7 wickets and entered the Super Eight stage charmingly.

India vs Canada (match abandoned due to rain)

Super 8 stage begins!

Convincing win over Afghanistan (India vs Afghanistan)

India started their crucial Super 8 journey against emerging Asian giants Afghanistan, a team filled with top-notch T20 players like Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, and Rahmatullah Gurbaz. This team reached the Super 8 by defeating teams like New Zealand, but when they met India, they experienced heartbreak as India convincingly dashed their dreams in the first Super 8 game, registering an easy win by 47 runs.

Once again, Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 53 runs off just 28 balls, provided an impressive total on the board. Then, India’s bowlers, who are currently in a different zone, dismantled them as well. This time, or shall we say once more, Jasprit Bumrah initiated early breakthroughs, removing players like Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai. Kuldeep Yadav also clinched two wickets and sealed the game in India’s favor.

Wiping out Bangladesh (India vs Bangladesh)

Emerging as one of the interesting rivalries in the Asian demographic, especially after Pakistan. Bangladesh, known for their stubborn style of play, loves to fight. However, their outing in this ICC T20 World Cup was not clear. On the other hand, India proved too good for them once again.

The hero of the game this time was Hardik Pandya, whose all-round performance mesmerized everyone. He made a quick 50 runs, helping India reach 196 runs, and also took a crucial wicket of Liton Das while bowling. India produces a clear all-round performance, with everyone contributing in the batting, especially the middle order, and in bowl, the dynamic bowling lineup decimated Bangladesh and India won by 50 runs.

Revenge Done! (India vs Australia)

The team known for playing excellent cricket in important stages of tournaments silenced the Indian crowd after winning the 2023 final. Australia, the clear favorites of the tournament, faced India in a crucial Super 8 game. Rohit Sharma first performed wonders with his bat, scoring 92 runs and breaking many records. Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with 31 runs off 16 balls, helping India post 205 runs on the board.

When Australia came to bat, we witnessed a counterattack, especially from Travis Head, who scored 76 runs off 43 balls. It’s fair to say that when he was batting, he was also playing with the heartbeat of many Indians. However, once again, Indian bowlers revamped their plans and dismissed Australia for under 181 runs, and India marched to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup.

Semifinal tussle

Payback time against Three Lions (India vs England)

Now, the time has come for one more revenge , England, who beat India in the semifinals of the last T20 World Cup in 2022, and that too by 10 wickets. The English side reached the semifinals after showcasing some good cricket, but Rohit and company put their vehicle in neutral this time.

After winning the toss, England decided to bowl. For the first ten overs, they kept the game tight, removing players like Virat Kohli, who is not in good form in the ongoing World Cup, and also Rishabh Pant, which put India under pressure.

But two Mumbai boys took charge, on one side, Rohit Sharma played a quick 47-run innings, and then Suryakumar Yadav, aka SKY, showcased and proved that he is not just a minnow basher. Also, Hardik Pandya’s last-moment big shots pulled India back into the game, as they posted a decent 171 runs. The game was still in the balance and could go either way, but unlike last time, India came into this match with a full complement of quality bowlers.

Axar Patel became the man of the moment, scalping England’s heavy hitters like Jonny Bairstow, skipper Jos Buttler, and Moeen Ali, which, needless to say, decimated the England batting lineup. India won the game by 68 runs against the defending champions.