WHO: India vs England
What: ICC Men’s 2026 T20 World Cup Semi-Finals
Where: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
When: Thursday, March 5, 7 pm (13:30 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera’s live coverage begins at 10:00 GMT.
India and England – the two teams vying to become the record-breaking three-time T20 World Cup champions – will meet in the second semi-final of the tournament on Thursday.
India will be looking to break the host nation’s voodoo and successfully defend their title as defending champions, but England will hope that the pressure of playing in front of a cricket-crazy home crowd will help them halt their opposition’s march at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
The venue, which hosted India’s 50-over World Cup triumph in 2011, is expected to turn into a sea of blue shirts, but Harry Brook’s side will relish the chance to silence them with a win.
What are India’s strengths and weaknesses?
Super Samson, reliable Bumrah and 12th man
The holders started the tournament as hot favourites, but were less than convincing in the group stage. However, they performed well in the Super Eight matches with wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies.
Sanju Samson has added muscle and poise to the top of the order, breaking the all-left-arm combination of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, upsetting the opposition’s bowling rhythm.
Jasprit Bumrah has proved once again that he is one of the best pacers and top ranked T20 bowler Varun Chakraborty, who claimed 12 victims, will lead the spin attack.
The home support at the 35,000-strong Wankhede Stadium can be like having a 12th man on the field.
Shaky batting
Abhishek came into the tournament as the world’s number one T20 batsman, but then had three ducks in a row.
A half-century against Zimbabwe showed glimpses of his talent, but he slumped to 10 runs against the West Indies, and England will target him for an early wicket.
What are England’s strengths and weaknesses?
England had some scratchy group stage wins, including edging a last-ball thriller against Nepal, but found form to power through the Super Eight with wins over co-hosts Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Brooke’s leadership, Jax’s all-around show
Brooke showed his leadership by moving up to third against Pakistan and scoring a match-winning century. He is becoming a shrewd tactician in his first World Cup as captain.
All-rounder Will Jacks has already won four player titles in seven matches and can be devastating with the bat. Jofra Archer, who was expensive in the first two matches, is back to his best form.
Out of form Butler
Opener Jos Buttler has been in a slump with 62 runs in seven matches. He hasn’t made a T20 half-century since September last year and doesn’t look confident, but England are unlikely to abandon their former captain.
What is India’s best result in T20 World Cup?
Winners: 2007, 2024
What is England’s best result in T20 World Cup?
Winners: 2010, 2022
What happened when India and England last played a T20 International?
The teams battled it out in a five-match T20 series in India in early 2025, with the hosts winning 4–1.
India scored 247-9 in the last match at the Wankhede Stadium.
Farm Guide: India
India were the favorites for the title, but did not have a smooth ride. South Africa’s defeat in the Super Eight was far from a shock, but their 100 per cent record in the group stage was no walk in the park. Nevertheless, a win against the West Indies – to secure their semi-final spot – will instill confidence in the team and their fans that their form is peaking at the right time.
Last five matches (latest result first): WWLWW
Farm Guide: England
England’s path to the semi-finals was similarly bumpy, and their start to the tournament, a narrow win over Nepal, almost produced one of the biggest shocks in sporting history.
Defeat to the West Indies in the next match further dampened expectations, but Brook’s side have since seemed to find their groove.
Last five matches (latest result first): WWWWW
India vs England: Head to head
This will be the 30th meeting between these teams in T20 Internationals, with India winning 17 matches and England victorious in 12 encounters.
Team News: India
India are likely to stick with the same XI that sent them to the semi-finals.
India XI predicted
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicket keeper), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Thilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Jaspreet Bumrah, Arshadeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty
Team news: England
England may bring back Jamie Overton for Rehan Ahmed despite the spinner’s match-winning bowling and batting figures against New Zealand.
Predicted England XI
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wicket keeper), Harry Brooks (captain), Jacob Bethel, Will Jacks, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton/Rehan Ahmed, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
How can I follow and stream India vs England semi final?
Al Jazeera Sport will provide comprehensive live coverage of the knockout match. Our build-up begins at 10:00 GMT, followed by photo coverage and a stream of text commentary.
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