Mumbai, March 3 (NationPress) Following their journey through diverse conditions in Sri Lanka, all-rounder Sam Curran asserts that England is hitting its stride just in time for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against India this Thursday at the celebrated Wankhede Stadium.

Curran emphasized the team's goal of achieving a “perfect game” when it counts the most. “Honestly, it’s all about the World Cup semifinal now. If there's a moment to showcase our best, it’s this Thursday night,” Curran stated in a press conference at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.

“Every player has contributed at various moments, but in T20 cricket, it often comes down to a couple of players performing well with both bat and ball. We pride ourselves on being a strong fielding unit, so we’re confident in that area as well, but it’s thrilling… let’s hope we can deliver the perfect game this Thursday.”

India's Sanju Samson scored an impressive 97 not out, leading his team to the semifinals with a five-wicket win over the West Indies at Eden Gardens. England topped Group 2 in the Super 8 after winning all three of their matches, setting up a semifinal showdown against the defending champions and co-hosts India, who finished second in Super 8s Group 1.

Reflecting on England’s path through the tournament, Curran described it as requiring adaptability. “It’s been a very flexible tournament for us. Playing in Sri Lanka, which favored spinners, meant I had to adjust my role a bit with the ball, but I’ve been working hard with the bat to match the conditions.”

“I anticipate that Thursday night will present a great wicket, and I expect to be utilized more with the ball. I’m looking forward to that challenge. Our greatest strength has been our ability to adapt, and I believe we can all step up on Thursday evening.”

Curran reiterated the importance of teamwork. “The idea of everyone chipping in is vital. If all players contribute, it generally leads to success. We’re genuinely excited, and let’s hope for a great evening.”

He also shared insights about his personal journey during this tournament, having spent some time sidelined earlier.

“It’s been a fantastic experience. Even when I was on the bench, I felt I grew in various aspects. Looking back, I can see the positives. Returning to another T20 World Cup semifinal, I’m eager to contribute everything I can for the team.”

In their recent encounters, India has been dominant, winning nine of the last twelve T20 matches against England, including five out of the last six.

Curran noted the importance of teams adapting to subcontinental conditions throughout the tournament. “This tournament has posed challenges as we've faced numerous different conditions. I believe we’ve adapted exceptionally well. Non-subcontinental teams have risen to the occasion.”

“We all play a lot of cricket in India now, so we understand how to handle these grounds. The IPL has significantly helped with that. I think the four best teams are in the semifinals, and it will be interesting to see who claims the trophy.”

India and England have clashed in the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups. In 2024, India avenged their previous loss with a commanding 68-run win against Jos Buttler’s squad in the semifinals.

Conversely, during the 2022 tournament, England dominated and dealt a heavy 10-wicket defeat to Rohit Sharma’s team in the semifinals.

The opening semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026 will feature South Africa vs. New Zealand at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Discussing the iconic Wankhede Stadium as the semifinal venue, Curran recognized the significance and atmosphere. “It’s a remarkable stadium, truly iconic… It’s a dream experience for any young cricketer. The wicket is usually excellent, and it’s a small ground, so I’m expecting a high-scoring match. This is the culmination of the past four or five weeks.”

He also addressed managing the excitement and pressure from a large crowd. “We’ll likely begin with the National Anthems, and it’ll be incredibly loud. We should view that as an exhilarating opportunity. If the crowd is silent, it usually means England is performing well.”

“Given our extensive experience playing in India, we’ve become accustomed to it. We can filter out distractions, while still being aware of the atmosphere. Many young cricketers dream of playing in a semifinal, so while I'd prefer a quiet stadium, I expect it to be very lively.”

On the topic of conditions and dew, Curran emphasized the need for adaptability. “No one is a dew expert, but if dew becomes a factor, it will present a different challenge. We won't stress about surface conditions; we’ll just adapt as needed. Our batting lineup is strong, and the team that performs best on the night will likely win.”

Curran praised Will Jacks for excelling in a new role. “Will has been fantastic. He’s taken on a very different role than before, scoring crucial runs at number seven and bowling challenging overs while taking key wickets. We joke that he’s the local hero here… he’s been incredible and deserves his fifth man-of-the-match award.”

He also supported Jos Buttler amidst criticism regarding his recent form.

“I’d prefer having Jos Buttler on my side rather than facing him. He’s an exceptional player who has contributed significantly over the years. We have complete faith he will find his form again.”

Regarding Captain Harry Brook’s leadership, Curran spoke fondly of this new chapter. “Brookie is new to the T20 captaincy, but he’s utilizing the wealth of experience around him effectively. His leadership has been remarkable, especially during crucial moments. He remains calm while empowering the players. We’re excited about this journey with him, and we hope to deliver an outstanding performance together.”