The road to the World Cup is full of obstacles and dangers. Fortunately for India, every time they faced crunch time, one player stepped up and delivered a winning performance
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SURYAKUMAR YADAV vs. US (49 goals, 84 goals): With India trailing at 77/6 in the first match, there were serious fears that the US would cause a huge havoc before the skipper stepped in to steady the ship. Surya conceded 17 off 15 balls and smashed 48 off the last 18 balls he faced (including 21 in the final over) to hold India to 161/9 for a comfortable 29-run victory
ISHAN KISHAN vs Pak (77 off 40 balls): In a game where every batsman is trying to pick up the pace, Kishan’s batting is like playing on a different pitch. His explosive knock took India to 88/1 in 8.3 overs before he was dismissed. India’s pace slowed dramatically after that, but Kishan’s momentum meant they still reached 175/7 – enough for Pakistan to collapse to 114 at full strength
TILAK VARMA (44 off 16 balls against Zimbabwe): India, smarting from South Africa’s 76-run knock, adjusted their batting order and fired with all guns blazing. Every batsman scored more than 150 runs but Varma was the icing on the cake as he took on the new role of finisher with gusto and helped India gallop to 256/4, their highest score in the T20 World Cup
SANJU SAMSON (97 off 50 balls against West Indies): Samson played a memorable innings in the virtual quarter-final, showing composure and smooth batting to lead India to their highest-ever chase pace in a T20 WC match
Axar Patel vs England: Samson once again produced a dazzling performance in the semi-finals (89 off 42), while Bumrah (1/33) produced a T20 bowling masterclass. But arguably the biggest impact came from the vice-captain, who bowled to Tom Banton, took two catches – including a brilliant dismissal of England captain Harry Brooke – and produced a moment of pure genius as he raced for the ball before passing it to Shivam Dube as he raced over the ropes, clearing Will Jacks.