Rohit Sharma had every reason to be delighted with this performance. For the first time in the tournament, India batted first and faced a relatively modest target.
It’s the end of the road for England as they now find themselves on a four-game losing streak. The defending champions have relinquished their title defence hopes. In stark contrast, India delivered a clinical performance, securing their sixth consecutive win and maintaining their stronghold at the top of the rankings. Rohit Sharma had every reason to be delighted with this performance. For the first time in the tournament, India batted first and faced a relatively modest target.
England won the toss and elected to field. Their decision seemed justified as their new-ball bowlers, Chris Woakes and David Willey, dismantled the Indian top order. Rohit Sharma was the exception, adapting his game effectively to read the pitch. Shubman Gill fell to an outstanding delivery from Woakes, while Virat Kohli succumbed to the pressure of eight consecutive dot balls before losing his shape against Willey. Woakes bowled a lengthy spell of seven overs, dismissing Shreyas Iyer and pushing India to 40/3 in the 12th over.
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Rohit and KL Rahul rescued Team India, forming a crucial 91-run stand for the fourth wicket. England’s Buttler called upon Willey to break the partnership, a task the left-armer executed perfectly by removing Rahul in the 31st over. Rohit Sharma continued his excellent form, scoring a well-deserved half-century before being caught in the deep while trying to attack Adil Rashid in the 37th over.
India encountered a flurry of wickets in the latter part of their innings and appeared unlikely to complete their full 50 overs. Suryakumar Yadav played a brilliant innings (49 off 47) and received support from the Indian tailenders, particularly Jasprit Bumrah. Suryakumar was dismissed in the 47th over, but Bumrah and Kuldeep displayed resilience, helping India reach a competitive total of 229/9.For England, David Willey was the standout bowler with figures of 10-2-45-3. Chris Woakes (2/33) and Adil Rashid (2/35) secured a couple of wickets, while Mark Wood (1/46) took one.
England’s opening pair, Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, had a promising start, adding 30 runs for the first wicket. However, their fortunes took a dramatic turn. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami dismantled England’s top order in a chase, followed by the entry of spinners.Bumrah dismissed Malan and Joe Root in consecutive deliveries in the 5th over, sparking a monumental collapse. Shami removed Ben Stokes and Bairstow in the ensuing overs, leaving England’s title defense in tatters with a dismal score of 39/4 within the first Powerplay.
Kuldeep Yadav bowled an exquisite delivery, completely bamboozling England’s skipper, Jos Buttler. Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone offered resistance, but their efforts only postponed the inevitable. Shami and company returned to further dismantle England’s lineup. Bumrah executed a perfect yorker to dislodge Mark Wood in the 35th over, sealing the fate of the contest. For India, Mohammed Shami was exceptional with figures of 7-2-22-4, and Jasprit Bumrah contributed with figures of 6.5-1-32-3. Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets, while Jadeja secured one. England’s innings crumbled, with the hosts bowled out for a mere 129 runs in 34.5 overs. The result was a resounding victory for India, winning by a remarkable 100-run margin
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