Former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar recently revisited India’s performance in the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals, where they faced a devastating loss against England, who chased down India’s target of 169 runs within 16 overs.
As India gears up to face England again in the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Manjrekar shared his insights on the upcoming match. He pointed out that while the loss in 2022 was significant, experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have never publicly acknowledged it as a wake-up call for the team in the T20 format.
Looking ahead to the semi final clash, Manjrekar expressed optimism about India’s chances. He noted that the current England squad appears weaker compared to their lineup from a few years ago, which could work in India’s favor.
’He is a bit of a concern since he hasn’t been scoring’ – Sanjay Manjrekar
“India is a completely transformed T20 side since then. Although Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not admitted that they played a part in the 2022 semifinal loss, this new India is vastly different. The current England team doesn’t seem as formidable as before, which certainly benefits India,” Manjrekar commented.
Manjrekar also highlighted concerns regarding Virat Kohli’s form, mentioning that the aggressive batsman has struggled to score runs throughout the tournament and his approach and mindset in the semifinal will be crucial.
“Virat Kohli is a bit of a concern since he hasn’t been scoring, but he remains committed to his aggressive approach, unafraid of getting out. It will be interesting to see if he continues this in the semifinal, given his reputation for performing on big stages. If he starts rotating the strike after hitting a boundary, it might indicate a shift in his batting strategy,” Manjrekar added.
