Argus News - Trending: Who Will Win Wankhede Showdown with T20 World Cup Final Spot and History at Stake?

Mumbai, Mar 5: With a spot in the ICC T20 World Cup final up for grabs, defending champions India will lock horns with two-time champions England in the second semifinal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

This is not the first time the two sides will face off at the T20 World Cups. India and England will go toe-to-toe in the semifinals for the third straight time after 2022 and 2024. Coincidentally, the winner of last two semifinal face-offs went on to clinch the title.

The 2022 edition in Australia saw India meeting England in the semifinal for the first time, and it was the English side who registered a dominating 10-wicket victory over the Men in Blue. After restricting India to 168/6 despite Virat Kohli’s half century and Hardik Pandya’s 33-ball 63, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales hammered Indian bowlers to seal a place in the final with four overs to spare. England went on to clinch their second T20 WC title, after 2010, beating Pakistan in the final.

Also read: Controversy hits Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad after Female Hotel Staff Incident in Sri Lanka

The two sides faced off again for a second consecutive semifinal date in the 2024 edition, co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies. This time, India got the chance to settle the score and avenge their 2022 defeat. Batting first, India posted 171/7, thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 57, and key contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (47) and Hardik Pandya (13-ball 23). In response, England were bundled out for 103 with over three overs to spare. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav had bagged three wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah had claimed two. India comfortably qualified for the summit clash, where they defeated South Africa in a thrilling contest, lifting the trophy for the second time after their success at the inaugural edition in 2007.

The two sides had first played each other at the T20 WC in 2007, where India had defeated England. The match is mostly remembered for Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad en route to a 12-ball half century — second fastest in T20I history, but fastest in a match among Test-playing nations (full member of ICC).

The two sides — currently led by Suryakumar Yadav and Harry Brook — are now set for a third consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal face-off.

Pitch report

The surface at Wankhede Stadium is traditionally known to favour batters and often produces high-scoring contests in the T20 format. The true bounce and quick outfield allow stroke-makers to play their shots freely, with first-innings totals typically ranging between 190 and 220 runs. While spinners may not find significant assistance from the surface, fast bowlers who maintain disciplined lines and lengths — particularly with variations — can still have an impact.

Weather report

Clear skies have been forecast for the semifinal in Mumbai, with conditions expected to be ideal for cricket. Temperatures are likely to range between 27 and 37 degrees Celsius during the day, while humidity levels could rise beyond the 60 per cent mark, typical of coastal conditions in the city. Rain is not expected to interrupt play, ensuring a full contest 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: Phil 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.

(IANS)