Guyana

Jos Buttler feels the defending champions will be under pressure against Rohit Sharma-led Indian Team in the marquee 2024 T20 World Cup semis clash in Guyana on Thursday (June 27). While England lost a few games in the lead-up to this match, the Indian Team is unbeaten thus far, winning six games on the trot. Buttler said he is in awe of Rohit and his team’s run this time, admitting England will deploy the same attacking approach in the all-important knockout.

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England played some of the top teams this time, including Australia in the group stage and West Indies and South Africa in the Super 8s, winning against the co-hosts and going down to the other two. Taking on India in the semis, Buttler and England must be on top of their game to ensure they repeat the 2022 result. 

“I think you plan everything to go well and, of course, there will be time in the game when you are playing such a good team like India. You will be under pressure, and you will be forced to be reactive and try and throw the punches back. 

“This time we are playing against a very different India side and the way Rohit leads his team and how he bats especially," Buttler said in a video posted by the England Cricket Board on their website.

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The English Captain praised India, saying their aggressive approach has kept them ahead of everyone in this format, reflecting the confidence in their cricket. Buttler admitted England would consider the conditions (considering the rain threat) while planning their game. 

“They play with a hell of a lot of freedom, so they will be very aggressive, which probably was a shift for them after the tournament, and they played like that in the 50-over World Cup as well.

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“I think they are very confident in that style of play and, yes, we need to be ready for that. Like every other game, we sort of have to assess the conditions and how the wicket will play or what will be the good score. But we know that they will be aggressive, and we will do the same,” Buttler added.

Buttler remembers 2022 semis

Recalling how things unfolded the last time these two teams met in a T20 World Cup semis (in 2022), Buttler said that was one of the best games he played for his team in white-ball cricket. 

England chased 170 plus in Adelaide with ten wickets remaining, with Buttler and now-retired Alex Hales completing respective fifties.

Pressing on how important it is to start well against a team like India, Buttler said, "Great memories and a very special day. One of the great games in the England shirt and the standout moments were getting Surya out as he was having an unbelievable tournament, so that was up there. And the chase as well, getting off to a good start in those kinds of chases in the semi-final and to get that sort of start was vital and the start in the first over which settled me down."

(With inputs from agencies)