England captain Jos Buttler has admitted he missed a chance by not bowling spinner Moeen Ali on the spin-friendly track in the semi-final against India at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Reflecting on his team’s crushing defeat in the game, he said India outclassed them at the Providence Stadium.
A day earlier, England were eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup after suffering a 68-run defeat to India while chasing a target of 172.
The defending champions’ batting line-up was dismantled by the Indian spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who took three wickets each.
Buttler admitted that he should have bowled Moeen Ali on a pitch that became low and slow as he consistently offered at-bats as the game progressed.
Despite the conditions, he opted to bowl as India posted a total of 171 boosted by a brilliant fifty from Rohit Sharma.
The England captain admitted that India were allowed to score at least 25 runs more than what was par on the field.
“I think they bowled well as well,” Buttler said. “I think we bowled a bit unlucky in the power play, there were some tough situations. But yeah, I think with hindsight and reflection, I would have put Moeen (Ali) in the game, of course. So, yeah, there were a few things here and there.”
Buttler revealed that he hoped to restrict India to 150 in the field, which benefited the bowlers in the latter part of the game.
“Yes, disappointing. I think India surpassed us. They fully deserved the victory. So yeah, I thought they had an above average score. I was hoping to restrict them to probably 145 – 150 on that field. From there it was always going to be a difficult chase,” he said.
While England bowled out two spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone, who posted combined figures of 1 for 49 in their eight overs, their pace bowlers conceded 120 runs in 12 overs.
India’s bowlers bowled a total of 11 overs in the second semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. They took six wickets and conceded 58 runs.
“Obviously, they have some fantastic spinners. Both our boys bowled well, but in retrospect, I should have brought on Moeen in that innings, the way the spin developed,” Jos Buttler said after the match.
Meanwhile, India will face South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final to claim the title for the second time, after winning the inaugural edition in 2007.
