T20 World Cup 2024 – England vs India – Steady England faced a pasting that had been in the post since Adelaide

But, as Buttler acknowledged, this was not a semi-final defined by marginal calls. It was much more than that, a complete thrashing by a team that has made great progress on stagnant opposition since the last World Cup. The difference of 68 runs reflects England’s shortcomings as well as India’s strengths.

“I don’t think there was any difference between the two sides in (the toss),” Buttler said. “We thought about the selection for a long time… but I think India played a very good game of cricket: no matter what team it is or what it is, it will be very difficult to beat them. If we do that then we will Have to do your best.” We’re going to win the game and today we fell short of our best performance.”

The question arises: why weren’t they there? Pitches with less bounce and grip are always more likely to suit India but England may have some excuses. The team he selected on Thursday, which has played 157 T20 matches on Caribbean soil and 436 matches in the IPL, faced the same bowlers in Guyana, yet they were found wanting.

Rohit played with the freedom that once characterized England’s batsmen, being encouraged to attack without fear of failure. He took risks in the powerplay and it paid off, his innings of 57 off 39 balls being excellent from both sides. And it wasn’t so long ago that England’s batsmen were considered innovators, but now – as evidenced by two extraordinary sixes over fine leg and extra cover respectively – Suryakumar is the world’s leading man.

England expected this World Cup to be played as “a slugfest” and for the first two rounds they were not far off: they were set to play in Antigua, Barbados and St Lucia and generally enjoyed a true bouncy flat. Used to play on pitches. They were almost wiped out due to rain, but had an impressive performance in the Super Eights, defeating the formidable West Indies and the United States.

Against weaker opposition they were thoroughly clinical, but the wider lens is much less flattering: against the Full Members, England lost three of four games, with defeats to Australia, South Africa and India. They may have reached the semi-finals – the only team to do so in the last four men’s T20 World Cups – but they have never performed like the champions-elect.

“I think getting to the World Cup semi-finals is an achievement,” Buttler insisted. “We obviously wanted to go all the way: that’s what we came here for. We faced a lot of challenges and adversity throughout the tournament and we stuck together and did well enough to get to this stage.” But unfortunately in this situation, we have fallen short.

“I look at Leeds when we all met: I think everyone has progressed. We’ve played well, and not very well. There are some things we’ve been doing behind the scenes – the way we prepared The way we have trained, the way we have played in pieces – it’s really good that there is a lot of talent in the team and we came up against a top team today in these conditions.”

There is no shame in losing to India, who are clear favorites in Saturday’s final in Barbados. But the manner of the defeat should make England and their entire white-ball team introspect. They were defeated not only by the better team, but also by the bravest team: India were rewarded for their aggressive intent, while England quietly accepted defeat.

It was a strange day and a strange scene, prolonged by rain and India clearly benefiting from the foreshadowing of their semi-final venue. With only a handful of traveling fans able to travel, England’s rare borders were met with silence from a half-full crowd: it was a fitting welcome for an elimination that had been looming for several weeks.