In a nail-biter at Wankhede, India edged out England by 7 runs to storm into the final against New Zealand. The semi-final thriller on Thursday had hearts racing, none more so than captain Suryakumar Yadav’s.
After posting 253 for 7, India watched England claw their way to 246 for 7. The close finish left everyone on tenterhooks. Suryakumar confessed his inner turmoil: ‘I was so nervous during the game. Had someone monitored my heart rate, it would’ve told the full story.’
Such high-stakes encounters in front of home crowds breed natural jitters, yet the players channeled their energy into determination. ‘The boys are thrilled despite the nerves,’ he added.
The England chase was fierce, keeping India on their toes until the end. But the bowling attack, led by stars like Bumrah and Arshdeep, delivered when it mattered most. ‘They gave us a tough fight, but our bowlers’ comeback was phenomenal,’ Suryakumar lauded.
Tactical brilliance shone through too. Suryakumar highlighted fielding coach T Dilip’s role: ‘Spotting the matchup with Shivam Dubey against Adil Rashid was spot on.’
Now, with a final date in Ahmedabad, optimism runs high. ‘Qualifying for the final is surreal, especially playing there. It’s a dream moment for us all.’ As the nation rallies behind them, India stands poised for triumph.