Lucknow, India’s World Cup journey reached an unbeatable status on Sunday. England, unfortunately, faced a tough blow. Things seemed fine for them until Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, the two fierce pace bowlers, turned the new white ball into a powerful weapon of destruction under the lights.
Their stunning performance shattered any hopes England had of turning around their failing campaign. This victory marked India’s sixth consecutive win, showcasing their exceptional form that doesn’t adhere to typical expectations.
India clinched a 100-run victory in 34.5 overs, setting a target of 230 runs, which initially seemed below par. Chasing the target on a challenging pitch with dew setting in, England had a momentary respite, with Dawid Malan hitting boundaries off Siraj’s deliveries.
However, it all changed in the fifth over when Bumrah dismissed Malan with a cleverly disguised short delivery, followed by Joe Root being given out leg-before. Bumrah’s triumphant leap elicited a roar from the crowd of fifty thousand at the Ekana stadium.
In the eighth over, Shami’s exceptional skills led to the downfall of Ben Stokes. Frustrated by the relentless back-of-a-length deliveries, Stokes attempted a desperate shot, only to have his stumps shattered. In no time, England was 39/4, with the game essentially over.
Kuldeep Yadav further dampened any hope of an English comeback by taking Buttler and Livingstone’s wickets. Despite the heavy dew, the Indian spinners proved challenging to score against. India also struggled earlier during their batting innings but Rohit Sharma’s insightful play, supported by KL Rahul and a fluent Suryakumar, saved the day.
However, there are important lessons for India moving forward. They need to improve their patience in the game, Suryakumar’s inclusion has strengthened the lineup, and dropping Shami should not be an option, regardless of the playing surface.