England will take on India in the second semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup today in Guyana. The two teams squared off in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 World Cup as well, where the English team defeated the Men in Blue by 10 wickets.
It is pertinent to note that India’s last win against England in a T20 World Cup match came back in the year 2012. Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium played host to that group stage game, where India registered a 90-run win. Here’s a look at the Indian playing XI from that match, and where the players are now.
Openers against England in 2012 T20 WC match – Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan
It might surprise a few fans but Irfan Pathan opened the batting for India in that game along with Gautam Gambhir. Irfan scored eight runs, while Gambhir scored 45. Irfan bowled a brilliant spell of 2/17 later in the game. Both players have retired now. Irfan works as a commentator, and Gambhir will reportedly become India’s next head coach.
Middle Order – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni (c and wk), Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh
India had a star-studded middle-order for that match, with youngsters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma joining hands with MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh. Sharma scored a fantastic half-ton, and Kohli aggregated 40 off 32. Both Sharma and Kohli will be in action later today as well.
Dhoni scored nine runs, and Raina was not out on one. Yuvraj did not get a chance to bat and returned with figures of 0/2 in 0.4 overs. All three players have retired. Yuvraj and Raina work as commentators and also play Legends League. Meanwhile, Dhoni is active in IPL, playing for CSK.
Bowlers – Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh, Ashok Dinda and L Balaji
India picked two pacers in Ashok Dinda and Lakshmipathy Balaji, and two spinners, namely Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh. The bowlers did their job well as India bowled England out for just 80 runs in 14.4 overs. Harbhajan was the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul.
Chawla is the only one who is active in cricket. Harbhajan, Dinda and Balaji have retired. Harbhajan works as a commentator and participates in exhibition matches along with Dinda. Balaji joined CSK as a bowling coach before being replaced by DJ Bravo.
