India suffered an embarrassing collapse in the crucial T20 World Cup 2024 clash against rivals Pakistan in New York on Sunday, June 9. In a spectacular sequence of events that has left fans and analysts alike in shock, India registered their lowest-ever T20I total against Pakistan after being bowled out for a paltry 119 at Nassau County International Stadium.
The match, which was highly anticipated, quickly turned into a nightmare for the Indian side. Forced to bat first after losing the toss, India found itself in immediate trouble. Opener and former captain Virat Kohli, known for his prowess on the field, struggled to make headway and was dismissed in just the second over by Pakistani pacer Naseem Shah. This early loss was a heavy blow to the team’s morale.
Adding to the team’s woes, current captain Rohit Sharma, another stalwart of Indian cricket, was the next to fall. He managed a brilliant six off Shaheen Afridi in the very first over, raising hopes of a steady innings. However, his stay was short-lived as Afridi came back to claim his wicket in the third over. These two quick dismissals left India floundering at the start.
Rishabh Pant, who has been in fine form recently, stepped up to steady the ship with a composed 42 off 31 balls. His innings was a glimmer of hope amidst the rapidly falling wickets. Promoted up the batting order, Axar Patel provided brief support, adding 39 runs for the third wicket with Pant. However, the middle order failed to capitalize on this partnership.
The Pakistani bowlers, who had already shown their mettle, reclaimed control in dramatic fashion. Pakistan made a strong comeback in the 12th over, triggering a collapse that saw India plummet from a relatively comfortable 89/3 to being completely bowled out for 119 in just 19 overs. This collapse marked India’s lowest T20I total against Pakistan in their cricketing history.
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Comparatively, India’s previous lowest T20I total against Pakistan was 133, recorded during a bilateral series in Bengaluru in December 2012. Even in the T20 World Cup history, India’s lowest score against Pakistan had been 141 in 2007, a match famously known for its Super Over (Bowl OUT) drama in Durban, which India eventually won.
Conditions in New York added another layer of complexity to the game. The drop-in pitches at Nassau County International Stadium have proven to be challenging for batters throughout the tournament. With an average first innings score of just 104 after four matches, big scores have been difficult to come by. India’s experience earlier in the tournament, where they bowled out Ireland for just 96 while chasing, indicated that batting second might have been a preferable option.
The weather also played a role in the match’s outcome. A rain delay disrupted the flow of the game, further complicating matters for the Indian team. The lost toss turned out to be a critical factor as batting conditions became increasingly difficult.
Despite Pant’s valiant effort, the rest of the Indian lineup failed to withstand the relentless pressure exerted by Pakistan’s bowlers. Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah emerged as the standout performers, spearheading the Pakistani attack with precision and pace that left the Indian batsmen struggling.
Following the match, the Indian camp will undoubtedly have much to ponder. The disheartening defeat, combined with their lowest-ever T20I total against their arch-rivals, serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the fine margins that can determine the outcome of high-stakes matches.
In terms of team composition, India fielded the following lineup: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. On the other side, Pakistan’s lineup consisted of: Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Babar Azam (captain), Usman Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Amir.
Moving forward, India will need to regroup and re-strategize for their remaining fixtures if they hope to stay in contention for the T20 World Cup 2024 title. This match will undoubtedly go down in history as a humbling experience for the Men in Blue, offering crucial lessons in resilience and adaptability.
