Surya could stay in playing XI when injured Hardik returns

India’s strong batting line-up was undone by a tough pitch that was two-paced and by a resolute and accurate English bowling line-up.

India won another pressure game as they march into the semi-finals of the World Cup. Captain Rohit Sharma played a responsible, tempered innings to take India to what I felt was a below par score of 229. India’s strong batting line-up was undone by a tough pitch that was two-paced and by a resolute and accurate English bowling line-up.

David Willey and Chris Woakes were right on the money after getting some initial tap and it was a very county professional like performance from both of them. Add to that, some brilliant fielding and India were under the pump very quickly.

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Rohit played the long game

Captain Rohit changed gears and started playing the long game. Shreyas Iyer lost a golden opportunity to cement his place in this side by throwing it all away when it was not needed. His place in the XI is now in serious doubt.

Suryakumar Yadav played another gem of a knock and absorbed a tough situation with ease. I have a feeling that the team management will consider Surya ahead of Shreyas when Hardik comes back into the team. KL Rahul too played an unnecessary shot when looking good for a larger score.

But this match was all about Mohammed Shami. He is an absolute delight to watch with that rhythmic run-up and that unbelievable release of the ball. He was right on the money from ball one and England just could not cope with this. Some atrocious shots by Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler did England no favours and they were quickly on the mat. But it was the wicket-taking pressure that Shami and Jasprit Bumrah put on England that made the chase a non-starter.

Kuldeep, a big threat

Kuldeep bowled beautifully once again; the ball coming out of his hand with serious revs and he is such a big weapon for India. Ravindra Jadeja was his usual accurate self on a track that was made for the Indian spinners, so to speak.

India won a tough, high-pressure match and everything is set up for the semi-final now. England bowled with great intent but batted with absolutely no intent whatsoever. Their fall from grace is bewildering. 

Maybe, they are just not good travellers as a team, and the heat is not helping at all.  Their World Cup campaign ends and the authorities have some serious planning on their hands on the way forward for the 50 overs England side.

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