The 2022 T20 World Cup campaign of Team India was the subject of much excitement. India hadn’t won an ICC tournament since 2013, but there was ample optimism for a better outcome this time around under captain Rohit Sharma. But that was not to be. In the semi-final on Thursday in Adelaide, England defeated India by 10 wickets to advance to the final against Pakistan thanks to the brilliant unbeaten half-centuries by Alex Hales and Jos Buttler. With four overs remaining and a target of 169 to be reached, Hales hit seven sixes in his 86 and Buttler hit three in a mesmerising batting display to help England advance to Sunday’s final in Melbourne.
As a result, India’s wait for a global championship was extended by a whole year. While the 2023 ODI World Cup will be held in India the following year, the 2024 T20 World Cup is two years away. Many Indian team members are over the age of 30, including Mohammed Shami (33), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (32), Virat Kohli (34), and Rohit (35). (32). It’s interesting to wonder if these players will be available until then. Rahul Dravid, India’s coach, responded to a query on the older players’ “future in T20 cricket” after India’s defeat over England.
“Well, it’s too early to talk about it right now just after a semifinal game. These guys have been terrific performers for us. Yeah, like you said, we have a couple of years to reflect on it. There’s some really good quality players here, so absolutely not the right time to talk about this stuff or think about this stuff right now. We’ll have enough games, enough matches as we go on ahead, and India will try and build and prepare for the next World Cup,” Dravid said. Speaking of the match, Hardik Pandya’s 33-ball 63 helped India reach 168-6, but the total fell short against an inspiring opening duo as England pursues their second T20 championship following their 2010 victory. In the first over of their chase, England’s captain Buttler hammered Bhuvneshwar Kumar for three boundaries, and his team never looked back.
As England sped to 63-0 in six overs, he continued the onslaught with the bat, and Hales soon joined the big-hitting party. As the match was ripped away from India by a barrage of sixes and fours, Hales reached his 50 off 28 balls and was harsh on Axar Patel, who leaked 28 runs in his three overs. With another six off Pandya, Hales increased the team’s score to 100, and Buttler quickly adjusted his pace to catch up with his partner. The captain put an end to any hopes that India would attempt to end their world title drought since their Champions Trophy victory in 2013, as he reached his fifty with a six and a four off Pandya.