India storm to World T20 final as England stumble at Providence

England’s defence of the T20 World Cup is over after they slumped to a 68-run thrashing by a superb India side in Semi-Final Two in Guyana.

Set 172 on a difficult Providence pitch to make Saturday’s final, England’s batters folded and were dismissed for 103 in 16.4 overs.

Captain Jos Buttler gave them a solid start with 23, but his wicket was the first of four for 20 runs.

Phil Salt fell for five, Jonny Bairstow a three-ball duck and Moeen Ali eight from 10 balls.

When the superb Kuldeep Yadav, who took 3-19, bowled Harry Brook for 25 England were 68-6 and the game done, although there was still time for two dismal run-outs.

Axar Patel, bowling in the Powerplay, had 3-23 that rocked England’s top-order and set the tone for victory.

Buttler’s side were also guilty of allowing India to get to a score above par, although that was largely down to the excellence of Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav.

They overcame a slow surface that also kept low in a fine partnership of 73 from 50 balls that took India to 171-7 – Rohit hitting 57 and Suryakumar 47.

India, who have not won a World Cup for 13 years, will play first-time finalists South Africa – a meeting of the tournament’s two unbeaten sides in Barbados on Saturday.

England will fly home on Friday and are next in action in a three-match Test series against West Indies, starting on July 10. (BBC)