India’s cricket team got off to a strong start against England in the T20 World Cup semifinal, setting an all-time record in the process.
India’s team is trying to return to the T20 final to defend its 2024 title, led by some powerful hitting. The team set a World Cup record early in Thursday’s match against England, then held on for a victory despite a strong charge from the English side.
India’s Power Hitting Buries England
India knocked a massive 253 runs in the semifinal match, batting first and putting England on the back foot with some powerful hitting. The team had contributions from across the lineup, with several players knocking sixes to set a pair of historic marks against England.
As ESPNcricinfo reported, India set the all-time record for sixes in a World Cup early against England, with Shivam Dube hitting the record-setting six.
“Number of sixes, with Shivam Dube’s two off Adil Rashid’s one over, that India have hit this World Cup, which is now the record for any team in any World Cup,” the report noted. “Fitting that the record now belongs to this scary line-up. India 145 for 2 in 12 overs.”
While it was Shivam Dube who hit the record-breaking six against England, teammate Hardik Pandya helped the team set another record. As ESPNcricinfo reported, Pandya smashed two of his own as India set a record for total sixes in a T20 World Cup innings.
That set another record for the Indian side in their quest to return to the T20 World Cup final.
“19 — Number of sixes, including two by Hardik Pandya in the last over, that India hit in their score of 253. That’s the joint-highest for a T20 World Cup innings,” the report added.
New Zealand already won the first semifinal match to advance to the T20 World Cup final, defeating South Africa in a match on March 4.
India Shines at the Right Time
Going into Thursday’s match, India were in need of a strong performance after some shaky batting in earlier matches. Mike Atherton of The Times noted that there was some growing pressure on India before the semifinal.
“India’s strength is the depth and power of their batting but, like England’s, it has yet to click completely,” Atherton wrote. “Before the tournament, local television ran promos asking whether India would become the first team in a World Cup T20 match to score 300, yet they have not challenged that — another example of how tournament cricket differs from other cricket. Indeed they have passed 200 only twice, against Namibia and Zimbabwe.”
Atherton added that England would need a strong performance to get past India and reach the final, a strong prediction given India’s batting prowess on Thursday.
“So there is a fair bit of hope to cling to,” Atherton wrote. “England will have to be at their best to win and will have to improve on what they have shown so far — especially at the top of the order — but if they do, then the opportunity is there. It is time to rise to what should be a splendid occasion.”
India vs. England Cricket Live Update: India’s Shivam Dube Makes History in T20 World Cup Semifinal