India secured a spot in the World T20 semi-finals as group leaders after a decisive victory against Australia, eliminating the reigning 50-over champions.
Captain Rohit Sharma, at the pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with England, humorously remarked that the biggest takeaway from the 24-run win was Australia’s exit from the competition.
Despite allegations from former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq that India tampered with the ball to achieve early reverse swing, Rohit dismissed these claims, attributing the swing to dry conditions. He emphasized that all teams experience similar conditions.
India will be playing their fifth T20 World Cup semi-final, having reached the final twice in 2007 and 2014. Rohit assured that the team is focused and treating the semi-final like any other game, downplaying the pressure of past knockout failures. He stressed the importance of playing without fear and adapting to conditions rather than fixating on individual performances.
How's the team's environment? 😎
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 26, 2024
Is #ViratKohli's form a concern? 🤔
Thoughts on rain threats and no reserve day in semi-final 2 👀
📹 | #TeamIndia's skipper, #RohitSharma addresses the press and answers some questions ahead of the big game where the #MenInBlue will look to… pic.twitter.com/OLyHHXRV6a
The upcoming match is a rematch of the 2022 semi-final, where England won decisively. Rohit emphasized the significance of understanding the playing conditions and making smart decisions to succeed.