England’s decision was perhaps based on overhead conditions that could disrupt their run-chase and bring the DLS calculations into play.However, nothing of that sort happened and the defending champions came crashing down against Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3/19) and Axar Patel (3/23), while chasing India’s 171 for 7.Analysing the game, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar came down heavily on the England thinktank that went in favour of bowling first after winnig the toss.
“Ye mujhe koi bata de kis Einstein ne kaha tha England ko ke toss jeet ke aapne doosri batting karni hai, kaunsa sciencedaan hai inke paas (which Einstein told England to win the toss and chase, which scientist they have). A team that has three spinners, Axar, Kuldeep, who is a match winner, and (Ravindra) Jadeja; then they have (Jasprit) Bumrah. So kisne aapko mashvara diya ke India ke khilaaf toss jeet ke aap doosri batting kar lein (so who advised you to win the toss and chase against India),” said Shoaib.
“I don’t think that was a good decision.”
Shoaib, however, expressed his happiness on India’s win and congratulated them, with a special mention about skipper Rohit Sharma.
Rohit once again led India’s batting with his 39-ball 57, assisted by Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 in 36 balls. The duo added 73 runs for the third wicket.
“I am very happy to see India (win), a well deserved team that has full range of batting…I have been saying this since long (that) there is no batsman like Rohit Sharma, then Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. These three batsmen, one of whom is an allrounder (Hardik), can win you a game by all means,” said Shoaib.
England started their run-chase decently, reaching 34 for 1 in the fifth over, but then fell like a pack of cards against Axar and Kuldeep, losing nine wickets for 69 runs to get bowled out for 103.
India will now take on South Africa in the title clash on Saturday in Barbados. South Africa won the first semifinal by hammering Afghanistan in a nine-wicket win.
