India ride on Rohit Sharma's record fifty to qualify for T20 Cricket World Cup semifinals

Rohit Sharma powered to the fastest half-century at the 2024 T20 World Cup, off 19 balls, to lead India into the semi-finals of the tournament although Australia’s fightback with the bat gave them enough hope to stay in contention for the last four stage.

Sharma, the India cricket team skipper, hammered 92 off 41 balls to help his side score 205/5 in 20 overs on a Gros Islet, St Lucia pitch that was easy to bat on. He hit seven fours and eight sixes. He was particularly severe on Mitchell Starc, taking him for 29 runs (including wide).

Sharma went 6, 6, 4, 6, 0, wide, and 6 in Starc’s first over, which was the innings’ second.

That set the tone and India built on it further against a demoralised Aussie attack. Starc came back to pick Sharma’s wicket but it was too late.

Australia too began the powerplay phase well, milking 65/1 in the first six overs. India had got 60 in their powerplay.

However, the introduction of Kuldeep Yadav spelt doom for the Australians. Axar Patel took a stunning catch at deep backward square leg to get rid of skipper Mitchell Marsh, who was looking good.

Glenn Maxwell provided fillip using reverse sweep to good effect, but two spinners in tandem – Yadav and Patel – made things difficult for the Aussies who lost their track to lose by 24 runs.

As a consolation, however, they managed to go past 176 and stay above Afghanistan to ensure that the Afghans now need to beat the Bangladeshis to qualify for the semis. If the Afghans lose, their net run rate will deteriorate further and Australia will go through. Australia have an NRR of -0.331 while Afghanistan have an NRR of -0.650.

India will now face England in the semi-finals at Providence Stadium in Guyana on June 27, that is, Thursday.

Rohit Sharma, Indian national cricket team, Australia men's cricket team, T20 World Cup,