Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his dissatisfaction ever since India reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022. Set to face England in the second semi-final on a spin-friendly pitch in Guyana, India eventually defeated England to secure a spot in the final. Vaughan was vocal about his discontent, accusing the ICC of favoring India with a convenient venue and schedule for their semi-final match.
Vaughan’s Accusations of Bias
Vaughan pointed out that India’s semi-final match was predetermined to cater to the TV audience in the Indian subcontinent. He suggested that the selection of Guyana as the venue was particularly beneficial for India.
“If England had beaten South Africa, they would have played in Trinidad for the semi-final, and I believe they would have won that game. So, no complaints—they haven’t been good enough. But Guyana has been a lovely venue pick for India,” Vaughan commented in response to a tweet.
Harbhajan Singh’s Response
However, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh decided to address Vaughan’s complaints. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), Harbhajan Singh silenced Vaughan by urging him to refrain from making baseless accusations.
“What makes you think Guyana was a good venue for India? Both teams played on the same pitch. England won the toss, which was an advantage. Stop being silly. England was outplayed by
India in all departments. Accept the fact and move on. Keep your rubbish to yourself. Talk logic, not nonsense,” Harbhajan asserted.Rohit Sharma Leads India to Victory
Rohit Sharma was once again the standout performer for India, scoring a 39-ball 57. Despite a lengthy rain delay at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, India managed to post a competitive total of 171/7 on a slow, turning wicket. India’s score was above par by at least 15 runs, giving them an edge.
England’s Struggle and India’s Dominance
England struggled during their chase, losing wickets at regular intervals. The Indian spinners, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, were instrumental in England’s downfall. The duo combined to take six wickets while conceding only 42 runs in eight overs. England’s batting lineup collapsed, and they were bowled out for 103, losing the match by 68 runs.
Michael Vaughan’s comments about India’s semi-final victory have stirred controversy, but the performance on the field told a different story. India outplayed England in every department, with Rohit Sharma leading the charge and the spinners delivering crucial blows. Harbhajan Singh’s response highlighted the importance of acknowledging the actual reasons behind England’s defeat and moving forward without unnecessary complaints.
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