Mumbai, March 4 (NationPress) As they embarked on their journey in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Harry Brook's England faced the challenge of maintaining a significant legacy for their nation. The two-time champions have reached the semifinals in every tournament since 2016, following their loss to the West Indies in the final held in Kolkata.

In 2021, England was eliminated by New Zealand in the semifinals, but they bounced back to defeat Pakistan and clinch the title in 2022, only to fall to eventual champions India in the semifinals of the 2024 tournament.

By reaching the semifinals of the 2026 competition, Harry Brook's squad has upheld that esteemed reputation. They now aim to surpass host nation India and become the first team to secure the T20 World Cup title three times.

England has successfully navigated through some challenging moments -- looking nearly defeated against the underdogs Nepal in their opening match and again against Pakistan in the Super 8 stage, yet they managed to come back and win both games, finishing at the top of Super 8 Group 2.

Captain Brook mentioned that these remarkable recoveries have instilled confidence in his team as they prepare to face India, a formidable opponent at home due to their familiarity with the conditions and the overwhelming support from the fans during knockout matches.

When asked if overcoming critical moments in tough matches creates an impression of being invincible, Brook stated that it indeed boosts their confidence.

"No, we’re definitely not invincible, but it gives us a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow. Winning close matches is crucial in World Cups. We’ve found ways to win games that seemed lost, which positions us favorably in these competitions," Brook shared during the pre-match press conference leading up to the semifinals.

Under Brook's captaincy, England has displayed outstanding performances and emerged as a strong contender to unseat defending champions India, who currently holds the best record alongside England. However, Brook remarked that he wasn’t focused on statistics but rather on his team's confidence in their skills as they approach the semifinal at Wankhede Stadium, drawing strength from their ability to handle pressure.

"We’ve played some excellent cricket in the past year, and I hope we can continue that tomorrow. I believe India has been favorites since the beginning of the tournament, as they should be on home turf with their knowledgeable crowds and venue familiarity. Yet, T20 is unpredictable, and anything can happen," he said.

"We’re entering the match with great confidence. We’ve played well, but I feel the perfect performance is just around the corner. Hopefully, it will come tomorrow night, and we’ll approach the game with freedom, bravery, and the intent to challenge them as much as we can," Brook added.

Since taking over the captaincy a year ago, Brook has made strategic adjustments, including reintroducing Tom Banton and Liam Dawson into the squad and placing Will Jacks at No. 7. These changes have provided the England team with more stability, aided by the fact that all three are good friends. Brook expressed that having close friends on the team boosts his confidence, knowing they will support him in tough times.

"When I took over, it felt like some planning was required, which included giving these guys game time to build confidence, knowing they would be in the lineup most of the time. They have embraced their roles excellently. For instance, Jacks has stood out in this World Cup, while Dawson has played crucial roles in several matches. Banton has also contributed significantly. Having that confidence and knowing they will be around has helped us reach this stage of the competition," Brook concluded.