Mumbai, March 5 (NationPress) In a thrilling encounter, the reigning champions India will take on two-time titleholders England in the second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, set to unfold at the legendary Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

This match marks another chapter in the historic rivalry between India and England, as they clash once more. This isn't their first semi-final showdown; it will be the third consecutive time these teams meet in a T20 World Cup semi-final.

Historically, the victor of the semi-final encounter between England and India has gone on to claim the championship in both of the past two World Cups.

India first reached the semi-finals in the inaugural tournament back in 2007, defeating Australia by 15 runs in Durban to secure a place in the final against their fierce rivals, Pakistan.

With a total of 157/5 in 20 overs, Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach, played a pivotal role with a knock of 75 runs. Subsequently, stellar bowling performances by RP Singh and Irfan Pathan propelled the MS Dhoni-led team to victory against Pakistan in Johannesburg, earning India their first T20 World Cup title.

However, the champions faltered in the following three editions in 2009, 2010, and 2012, failing to reach the top four. They returned to semi-final action in 2014, where Virat Kohli's unbeaten 72 runs helped India overcome South Africa in Mirpur.

India faced Sri Lanka in their second final at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, with another memorable performance from Kohli, scoring 77 runs off 58 balls. Despite his efforts, Sri Lanka chased down the 131-run target in just 17.5 overs, denying Dhoni and his team a second title.

In the 2016 tournament, hosted in India, the team reached the semi-finals again but fell to the eventual champions, West Indies, by seven wickets in Mumbai.

India's fourth semi-final appearance occurred in 2022 during the tournament hosted by the defending champions, Australia. It was the first time India faced England in a T20 World Cup knockout match.

England limited India to 168/6 after opting to bowl first, with Kohli scoring a half-century and Hardik Pandya blasting 63 runs off 33 balls. In response, England's openers, Alex Hales and Jos Buttler, dominated, chasing the target without losing a wicket and securing a convincing 10-wicket victory with four overs to spare, which led them to eventually win the title against Pakistan in the final.

The two teams met again in the semi-finals of the 2024 tournament, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. This time, India aimed to avenge their loss from 2022. Batting first, India set a target of 171 runs, led by Rohit Sharma's 57, with notable contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (47) and Hardik Pandya (23 off 13).

England struggled in their chase, bowled out for 103 in just 16.4 overs, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav taking three wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah added two. India claimed victory by 68 runs and went on to secure their second T20 World Cup title after defeating South Africa in the final.

Now, the two sides are preparing for their third consecutive T20 World Cup semi-final showdown.

Pitch Report:

The Wankhede Stadium pitch is renowned for favouring batsmen, typically resulting in high-scoring matches in T20 cricket. The surface offers true bounce and a quick outfield, allowing players to execute their shots with ease. First-innings totals often range from 190 to 220 runs. While spinners may not find much assistance, disciplined fast bowlers can still make an impact with variations.

Weather Report:

The forecast for the semi-final in Mumbai indicates clear skies and ideal conditions for cricket. Daytime temperatures are expected to range from 27 to 37 degrees Celsius, with humidity levels likely exceeding 60%, typical of the coastal climate. Rain interruptions are not anticipated, ensuring uninterrupted play under favourable weather.

Squads:

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (w), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar.

England: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (w), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood, Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett.