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Imperious India completed a perfect ‘Super 8s’ campaign with victory over Australia and now reigning champions England await in what should be a thrilling semi-final in Guyana.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 24th June, 2024: USA (WST) – 7:30am / USA (CST) – 9:30am / USA (EST) – 10:30am / UK – 3:30pm / India – 8:00pm / South Africa – 4:30pm / Pakistan– 7:30pm / Bangladesh – 8:30pm / Friday 25th June, 2024: Australia – 12:30am
VENUE: Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana, West Indies
WEATHER: A strong possibility for thundery showers to affect proceedings across the scheduled hours of play, which could potentially see a shortened encounter with DLS coming into play.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – ESPN Caribbean / UK – Sky Sports / South Africa – SuperSport / Pakistan– PTV Sports & TEN Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Disney Star
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV website / West Indies – ESPN Play Caribbean app / UK – Sky Go / South Africa – SuperSport app / Pakistan – Myco & Tamasha / India – Disney+Hotstar / Bangladesh – Disney+Hotstar / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
INDIA FORM: REIGNING CHAMPIONS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES WITH THREE CONSECUTIVE WINS
Aside from a washout against Canada, India boasts a 100% record across this ICC T20 World Cup and have found ways to win in different scenarios. Their most recent triumph though, was perhaps the most impressive yet as they overcame Australia by 24 runs, helping to knock them out of the tournament.
LAST FIVE: WWWAW
ENGLAND FORM: FOUR WINS FROM THEIR LAST FIVE ACROSS THE TOURNAMENT SO FAR
England did a professional job in dispatching USA by ten wickets thanks mainly to the brutality of captain and opener Jos Buttler, meaning that despite having lost two matches across the competition so far, England are in the semi-finals and now just two wins away from retaining their title.
LAST FIVE: WLWWW
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
India’s final ‘Super 8s fixture saw left-arm quick bowler Arshdeep Singh accumulate three wickets for the second time in his side’s last three games. Such numbers extended his overall tally at this ICC T20 World Cup to 15 wickets with eight of those coming in the ‘Super 8s’. With Arshdeep peaking at just the right time, invest in him via the ‘Team – Top Bowler’ market, whilst placing a stake on the 25-year-old to gain over 1.5 match wickets over the course of this semi-final.
It’s been a tournament to forget for Virat Kohli so far and it doesn’t get any easier for one of India’s star batters when you take into account England’s bowling attack. Kohli seems to be stuck in a vortex and is struggling to break free, having been dismissed for 0 in his most recent innings and those opposition bowlers will be smelling blood. Consider backing Kohli to score under 23.5 match runs here.
ENGLAND BETTING ANALYSIS
We mentioned Jos Buttler earlier in our preview and the destructive nature of his 83 not out against USA. This was Buttler at his brutal best, smashing seven maximums and making it look easy to clear the rope. An in-form Buttler is a worrying prospect for India and the England skipper will be familiar with the Indian bowlers following his many years of IPL experience. Therefore, back him to hit 20+ runs via the ‘Batter Milestones’ market and also via the ‘Batter Total Match Sixes’ market, to strike over 0.5 maximums.
Chris Jordan’s ability at the death saw him pick up a hat-trick vs the United States. But once again it was Adil Rashid who was England’s rock, the leg-spinner recording figures of 2/13. As strong as the India batters are against spin, Rashid is a wily old fox, who knows how to operate on any type of pitch under any type of conditions. It would be no surprise to see Rashid star among the England bowlers, so back him to pick up 2+ wickets.
INDIA VS ENGLAND EXPERT PREDICTION
The big worry for England and bettors alike is the weather for this semi-final. Forecasts of potential showers could see play disrupted and with India set to advance in the event of a washout, they’ll be sitting comfortably. Bettors would be smart to ensure any moves made come with a guarantee of their money back should the game be abandoned.
Assuming the two teams do get on the pitch, then the toss is likely to prove very important in what should be a very tight battle, unlike their last semi-final encounter, which saw India thrashed by Jos Buttler’s side. However, India have been the more consistent side across this particular tournament whilst England have suffered defeats against Australia and South Africa. With that in mind, backing India to win on this occasion seems the smart play.
INDIA VS ENGLAND TOP TIP: INDIA TO WIN