India defeated 2009 champions Pakistan in the initial group stage and 2021 winners Australia in the ‘Super 8s’, which led to both bowing out of the tournament.And when the Rohit Sharma-led India sent England packing as well in the semifinal on Thursday, former India pacer S Sreesanth couldn’t hold back his excitement and brutally roasted England.
“Revenge? Yeh to one-sided (win) tha. Isko revenge nahi bolte. Isko bolte hai khushi khushi ghar bhejna (this was one-sided win; this is not called revenge; this is called happily seeing them off home),” said Sreesanth in a Star Sports video when asked if India have taken their revenge for the semifinal defeat in the 2022 edition of the tournament.
“Bhai ja ke training karo aur baad mei aao. Pakistan and Australia waise bhi ghar pe hain, jaa ke unse bhi mulaqaat kar lena (guys, go back, train and then come later; Pakistan and Australia are also at home, go and meet them),” he added.
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England won the toss and decided to bowl in Guyana, probably influenced by the strong possibility of rainy conditions disrupting their run-chase and bringing the DLS calculations into play. However, nothing of that sort occurred, and the defending champions were demolished by Indian spinners Kuldeep Yadav (3/19) and Axar Patel (3/23) while pursuing India’s total of 171 for 7.
Rohit Sharma once again spearheaded India’s batting with his 39-ball 57, supported by Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 off 36 deliveries. The pair added 73 runs for the third wicket.
England’s run-chase began relatively well, reaching 34 for 1 in the fifth over. However, they subsequently collapsed against the spin duo of Axar and Kuldeep, losing nine wickets for a mere 69 runs, ultimately being bowled out for 103.