India take on England in T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede on Thursday
India sealed their spot with a five-wicket win over West Indies in Kolkata on Saturday, where Sanju Samson scored 97 from 50 balls and Jasprit Bumrah returned figures of 2/36. England advanced from Group 2 with an unbeaten run through the Super 8s, winning all three of their matches in Sri Lanka before arriving in India for the knockout stage.
Semi-final history favours the eventual champion
This fixture has developed a pattern worth noting. In 2022, England hammered India by 10 wickets in Adelaide and went on to win the tournament. In 2024, India responded with a 68-run demolition in Guyana before lifting the trophy themselves. In both cases, the winner of this semi-final went all the way. Whether that trend continues remains to be seen, but neither side will take the other lightly given what happened in those previous meetings.
Across all T20 World Cup encounters, India lead 3-2. In the broader T20I record, India hold a 17-12 advantage from 29 matches.
Bumrah's fitness under the spotlight
Jasprit Bumrah missed India's opening match against the USA after falling ill with a fever. He has since recovered and played against West Indies, where he looked close to his best. However, managing his workload will be a consideration for head coach Gautam Gambhir heading into the knockout rounds.
India's 2022 semi-final defeat to England came without Bumrah, who was ruled out of that tournament with a back injury. His presence or absence has directly influenced India's fortunes in ICC events, and the team management will be conscious of that history.
Mumbai brings home advantage into play
The Wankhede Stadium has traditionally offered something for both batters and bowlers, with evening dew often becoming a factor in the second innings. The team chasing has historically found conditions easier under lights at this venue, which could make the toss significant.
India have not lost a T20I at the Wankhede since 2019, and the home crowd in Mumbai is expected to create an atmosphere that few other venues can match during a knockout game.
What is at stake
The winner will face either South Africa or New Zealand in the final. The first semi-final between those two sides takes place on Wednesday, 4 March at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
For India, reaching a second consecutive T20 World Cup final on home soil would be a significant moment for a squad that has undergone changes since the 2024 triumph. For England, it is an opportunity to reach their third T20 World Cup final in five editions and prove that their white-ball setup remains among the strongest in world cricket.
