India's T20 World Cup final spot booked as Ambati Rayudu claims 'luck factor' in Rohit Sharma's favor in semi-final

Team India led by Rohit Sharma will play the second semi-final against England in the ICC T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. So far the Indian team have been unbeaten in this tournament. 

The Indian team also topped their group and knocked out Australia from the tournament as they defeated them and Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh. However, they next appear against a team that defeated them in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final under Rohit's leadership as well. 

Interestingly, Team India were unbeaten throughout the 50-over World Cup but lost to Australia in the final. Their T20 World Cup campaign have also panned out almost on similar lines. However, former Indian cricketer Ambati Rayudu feels that the luck factor will work in India's favor this time around. He was also present at India's practice session and managed to ask Rohit Sharma a question during his press conference as well. 

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Luck Will Favour India Because They Played Selfless Cricket: Ambati Rayudu

"There's a brilliant atmosphere in the Indian team. Everyone is quiet and composed. I think they are brilliantly prepared. Rohit has been calm as well and knows his role as well as that of others in the team. Whatever is controllable, they are controlling it brilliantly. The uncontrollable is a luck which ofcourse they will need. But I feel luck will favor India because of their selfless cricket," Rayudu said to Star Sports. 

After speaking to Rohit Sharma in the presser and getting satisfactory answers to his questions, Rayudu spoke about Virat Kohli. despite the former Indian skipper having just managed 66 runs in this World Cup so far, Rayudu believes that he will score a big one against England. 

"The way he (Kohli) was hitting the ball and reading the length of the bowlers, especially the spinners, it just feels like a matter of time before he gets a big score. Just because he didn't score runs doesn't mean he is not in form. He just needs luck to go his way and I think the prayers of billions will make it happen," Rayudu said on Kohli.

The former Indian skipper has scored for India in every previous T20 World Cup. He even scored the most runs in the T20 World Cup 2022 (296). However, this time around, he has struggled to score big runs. 

Rain To Play Spoilsport In Second Semi-Final

Meanwhile, there is a major rain threat that could play spoilsport in the big semi-final between India and England in Guyana. Currently, as per recent reports, it is rising in Guyana. The cut-off time for a 10-over contest is  4.14 pm local time, which will be 5 hours and 44 minutes after the scheduled start.

However, if the match ends in a washout, Team India will make it to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 as they topped their Group in the Super 8s. Perhaps this is the little element of luck that India needs which Rayudu was referring to.

India's unbeaten run in this T20 World Cup has been another talking point. The way they won against Australia and knocked them out of the tournament was also a massive talking point.

Also Read: India Playing 11 vs England - ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Semi Final 2