England were one of the favourites to win the World Cup in 2023. And why not? The Three Lions were the defending champions and had plenty of match-winners in their ranks, including the likes of Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Mark Wood, Liam Livingstone and many more.
However, things have gone completely awry for the English team. On October 26, Buttler and Co. lost to Sri Lanka by eight wickets at the M Chinnswamy Stadium. But it was on Saturday that England slumped to their lowest point in the ongoing mega event on Indian soil.
England slid to the bottom of the points table after the Netherlands beat Shakib Al Hasan’s Bangladesh by 87 runs on Saturday at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With two points and a net run rate of -1.634, the Three Lions are all but out of the competition.
ENGLAND HANGING BY A THREAD
But Buttler’s men still have a slender chance of sneaking into the semis through the backdoor, although that would need plenty of factors to go in their favour. In the press conference after the match against Sri Lanka, Buttler said that England’s campaign in World Cup 2023 is as good as over.
If England are to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the semis, first and foremost, they have to win their remaining four matches. Their first challenge is against India on Sunday at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
The task against the Men in Blue is not expected to be easy for England by any stretch of the imagination. India are brimming with confidence, being the only unbeaten team thus far in the competition. Having won all five of their matches, Rohit Sharma’s men are almost through to the next round, barring unforeseen circumstances.
NOT EASY AGAINST INDIA
It goes without saying that England have to go out with an attacking mindset instead of letting the opposition push them into their shell. The Brits, in the meantime, have a minor opening.
India have not played any cricket since their four-wicket win over Tom Latham’s New Zealand. It might take some time for Rohit and Co. go into their groove. Here lies the chance for England to capitalise.
If they can take early wickets in the powerplay or get off to a flying start, they can set the cat among the pigeons in the Indian camp. But as they say, it’s always easier said than done.
Given the form they are in, it would need a herculean effort from England to beat India. But England would also know that a defeat in their next match would knock them out of the competition.