India beats England to confirm T20 World Cup final spot

India will take on South Africa in Barbados on Saturday after Rohit Sharma’s men eased past England to reach 171 runs with the bat before strangling Jos Buttler’s charges with exceptional spin bowling.

Providence: India 171-7, England 103 – India win by 68 runs

India will take on South Africa in the final of the Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday after beating England by 68 runs in Guyana.

Rohit Sharma made 57 and Suryakumar Yadav hit 47 after being asked to bat first on a day of heavy rain in Providence before the Indian spinners took control as England crumbled and fell far behind.

The reigning champions were always looking back in the second semi-final – South Africa beat Afghanistan by nine wickets on Wednesday – on a surface that was low throughout and suited the spinners.

It took just one ball for Axar Patel to dismiss Jos Buttler after England reached 26 in three overs without loss. He finished off a reverse sweep to Rishabh Pant, before Jasprit Bumrah deceived Phil Salt with a slower ball in the next over. From then on the innings dropped off dramatically.

Harry Brook hit three boundaries in his 25, but he was a second victim for Kuldeep, bowling what appeared to be a repeat of a reverse-swept four from the previous ball. Kuldeep then trapped Chris Jordan in front as the rout was sealed, with two farcical run-outs from Liam Livingstone and Adil Rashid to follow.

Related: South Africa is next to break new ground as Afghan party closes down

^{Moeen Ali was stunned as England were routed (Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)}

Earlier, England had started well enough through Reece Topley, who cleaned up Virat Kohli as the former Indian captain’s poor run continued. Sam Curran then had Rishabh Pant caught at midwicket.

But a 73-run stand between Rohit and Suryakumar – interrupted by a rain delay – swung the match in favor of India, who were defeated at the same stage two years ago when these two teams met.

Rohit was deceived by an Adil Rashid googly that stayed low, before Suryakumar holed to long-on off Jofra Archer. But Hardik Pandya (23) and Ravindra Jadeja (17*) made cameos either side of a first-ball duck for Shivam Dube to take India to 171 for 7, which was ultimately more than enough in conditions that were ideal for the Indian champions . bowling attack.

Join The Cricketer’s brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest news, commentary and features – click here to join