England's dreams of defending their T20 World Cup title were left in tatters after a comprehensive 36-run defeat to arch-rivals Australia in Barbados. The crushing loss leaves Jos Buttler's side needing nothing short of a miracle to progress to the semi-finals.
Australian Dominance Leaves England Reeling
In a must-win encounter at the Kensington Oval, Australia posted a formidable 201-7 after being put into bat. Travis Head's explosive 34 off just 17 balls provided the early fireworks, while captain Mitchell Marsh anchored the innings with a commanding 35 from 25 deliveries.
England's reply never truly gathered momentum, with Australian bowlers maintaining relentless pressure throughout the chase. Despite a valiant 28 from Jos Buttler and Harry Brook's 20, the defending champions could only muster 165-6 from their 20 overs.
India Edges Thriller Against South Africa
In another crucial Group 2 encounter, India kept their semi-final hopes alive with a nail-biting 7-run victory over South Africa. Rohit Sharma's magnificent 52 from 37 balls propelled India to 133-6 on a challenging New York pitch.
South Africa's chase faltered against India's disciplined bowling attack, with Arshdeep Singh claiming 4-9 to dismantle the Proteas' batting lineup. The victory places India in a strong position to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Group 2 Semi-Final Picture
- Australia: Qualified for semi-finals with perfect record
- India: Well positioned for semi-final berth
- England: Require multiple results to go their way
- South Africa: Facing elimination after consecutive defeats
The results have set up a dramatic conclusion to Group 2, with England now dependent on other teams' results and net run rate calculations to have any chance of progressing. Australia's victory not only secured their semi-final place but also delivered a significant psychological blow to their oldest rivals.
With only one semi-final spot remaining from Group 2, the final group matches promise high drama and intense competition as teams battle for World Cup survival.
