Rohit Sharma
In the second semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024, India defeated defending champions England by 68 runs in the rain-affected second semi-final with the spin of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav after a half-century from captain Rohit Sharma (57 runs) (Team India bat England and Qualify for Final) to enter the T20 Cricket World Cup final in which it will face South Africa on Saturday.
The Indian team, champions of the 2007 opening phase of the tournament, thus reached the third T20 World Cup final. With this victory, India also avenged the 10-wicket defeat to England in the semi-finals of this tournament in 2022.
After defeating England and reaching the final, captain Rohit said
It is very satisfying to win this match. We worked really hard as a team. It was a great effort from everyone to win this match. We adapted ourselves very well according to the conditions. It was a challenge and we adapted ourselves. We played very well with the conditions. If the players play according to the conditions, then things go right. We are very happy with the way we progressed. At one time, we were thinking about 140-150, as the game progressed, after that partnership, we thought of scoring 25 more runs. I can set the target in my mind, but I do not want to tell any batsman about it. They are all instinctive players. I thought 170 was a very good score on this surface.
Akshar and Kuldeep are great spinners. It is difficult to play some shots, there is pressure on them too, but they were calm and knew what to bowl. Kohli (Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli) is a great player. Any player can do this. We understand his class and his importance. Supporting Kohli for the final, Rohit (Rohit Sharma on Virat Kohli Batting Form) said that form is never a problem. The intention is always there. We understand the occasion of the final. Staying calm helps you make good decisions. This will help us take the game forward. You have to play good cricket. We just want to do the same in the final as well.