England face a tough task in a T20 World Cup semi-final rematch against tournament co-hosts India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai this afternoon.
The sides squared off at this same stage 21 months ago, when India crushed their Jos Buttler-led opponents by 68 runs in Guyana en route to lifting the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2007.
England, now captained by Harry Brook, have made the semi-finals for a fifth straight T20 World Cup although it has been an up-and-down tournament that began with a heart-stoppingly narrow win over minnows Nepal, while they also survived a scare against underdogs Italy and lost to West Indies in the group stage. However, they found their form in the Super 8s with impressive wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand.
Talisman Buttler is still struggling mightily with the bat, recording five single-digit scores in a row, and although he has been backed by his skipper Brook, India – who had to chase down 196 against West Indies in a winner-takes-all Super 8s clash just to reach the semi-finals – will surely target the 35-year-old as they try to defend their title.
Read MoreIndia might be heavy favourites but England are the most awkward team left in the T20 World Cup
Harry Brook backs ‘powerhouse’ Jos Buttler to deliver in crunch India clash
India v England - T20 World Cup semi-final live updates
- Co-hosts India face England in fascinating T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai | Live on Sky Sports
- OUT! Adil Rashid breaks huge partnership as Ishan Kishan falls - India 117-2 (9.3)
- HALF CENTURY! Sanju Samson goes to 26-ball 50 with India flying - 92/1 (8)
- OUT! Will Jacks strikes to halt India's fast start - India 20/1 (2)
- Jamie Overton returns to England XI at Rehan Ahmed's expense
- India stick with same XI as beat West Indies
England 160-4 (13), Bethell 65, Jacks 35, Axar 1-35 (3)
16:35 , Chris WilsonPerhaps the biggest six of the day from Will Jacks, travelling 92m and bringing England to 150.
He drives a fortunate four through cover and Bethell adds a few more to move England to 160.
England 145-4 (11), Bethell 61 Jacks 24, Varun 1-51 (3)
16:33 , Chris WilsonVarun up next, so will Bethell try and capitalise?
The early signs suggest so, the youngster skipping across and hooking a shot over his head for four.
He lands a single to move to 60, putting Jacks back on strike. He returns the favour with a single of his own.
However, the next deliveries from Varun are better, and Bethell setles for squeezing a single through cover.
But now Jacks takes his turn to go big, blasting a six over mid-wicket!
England 131-4 (11), Bethell 55 Jacks 16, Bumrah 1-19 (2)
16:27 , Chris WilsonBumrah up for his second over. Jacks hits the second delivery for a four, before bouncing a single back down the wicket past the bowler.
Bethell passes his 50 now too, hitting it off 19 balls as he secures a double. That’s the joint-fastest 50 of the tournament!
He follows it with a lovely sweep, pulling it to the boundary to move England past 130, and we’ve got a brief drinks break going on now.
England 119-4 (10), Bethell 49 Jacks 11, Axar 1-20 (2)
16:21 , Chris WilsonEngland get lucky with their attempt at a quick single, India narrowly missing stumping them.
The home crowd want a wicket as a delivery crashes against Jacks’ pads, but the hosts decide against the review.
Three singles, a wide and two off the lb delivery for that over.
England 113-4 (9), Bethell 48 Jacks 9, Varun 1-37 (2)
16:18 , Chris WilsonVarun with the ball back in hand, and England might feel it’s a chance to get some runs on the board.
A four through mid-wicket from Bethell takes England past 100, and he adds another straight away, taking his tally to 47. He settles for a single off the third ball.
Jacks is lucky this time round, missing his attempted swipe, but he does well to claim a four off the penultimate delivery.
England 99-4 (8), Bethell 39, Jacks 4, Axar 1-12 (1)
16:13 , Chris WilsonA couple of dot balls for Jacks but he fires a nice four down leg-side to end the over.
England need 155 from 72 balls – a required run rate of 12.92.
OUT! Banton b Axar 17, England 95-4
16:11 , Chris WilsonOh, just as England were starting to get going!
Banton is bowled clean by Axar, and there’s a huge roar of relief among the home crowd!
Will Jacks is next to the crease.
England 95-3 (7), Bethell 39 Banton 17, Axar 0-12
16:10 , Chris WilsonTow huge sixes for Banton to start the next over...
England 83-3 (7), Bethell 39 Banton 5, Hardik 1-29 (3)
16:08 , Chris WilsonA couple of singles from both Bethell and Banton to begin with on Hardik’s penultimate over.
The next delivery is wide, before Bethell launches a superb six and then hooks a nice four over his head.
He ends the over with a single and that’s a decent over from an England point of view.
England 68-3 (6), Bethell 26, Banton 4, Varun 1-23 (1)
16:02 , Chris WilsonTom Banton out next and it’s a solid start, sweeping a one-bounce four behind him on the last ball of the over.
OUT! Buttler b Varun 25, England 64-3
15:59 , Chris WilsonWICKET! Buttler has gone for 25. He misjudges the first Varun delivery that he’s faced, and he’s bowled clean.
England 64-2 (5), Bethell 25, Buttler 25, Varun 0-19 (1)
15:58 , Chris WilsonVarun has a horrid start to his over, Bethell hitting three consecutive sixes off the first three balls!
The last one is a superb reverse sweep, leaving Varun with his hands on his head.
Bethell takes a single to leave Buttler on strike...
England 45-2 (5), Bethell 7, Buttler 25, Bumrah 1-7 (1)
15:54 , Chris WilsonJacob Bethell out next hoping to claw back some hope for England.
Not a bad start either, landing a six off the second delivery, but he can only take a single off the next three balls.
OUT! Brook c Axar b Bumrah 7, England 38-2
15:51 , Chris WilsonJasprit Bumrah up next to try and cause trouble...and he does!
The most important Englnd wicket has fallen! Harry Brook hooks it high and Axar Patel makes up 20 yards or so and takes an accomplished catch with his back to the wicket.
A supremely hard run chase just got far more difficult for England.
England 38-1 (4), Brook 7, Buttler 25, Hardik 1-14 (2)
15:48 , Chris WilsonTwo singles to begin with off the second over from Hardik.
Brook produces the best English shot of the day so far, hooking a high delivery back across for his first four.
Another single for Brook and Buttler finishes the over perfectly with a buge six.
England 25-1 (3), Brook 1, Buttler 18, Arshdeep 0-23 (2)
15:43 , Chris WilsonDot ball off the first but Buttler does well to drive a four off the second delivery.
Two more dot balls before Buttler takes a double and then drives a four down the wicket to stabilise the visitors.
England 15-1 (2), Brook 1, Buttler 9, Hardik 1-2 (1)
15:38 , Chris WilsonBrook starts with a single.
Second ball, and it’s close to another wicket as well, Buttler doing well to avoid clipping it to the wicket keeper.
Hardik keeps Buttler guessing but he ends the over with a fortunate single.
OUT! Salt c Axar b Hardik 5, England 13-1
15:35 , Chris WilsonOh no! The commentator’s curse perhaps.
Phil Salt is the first England player dismissed, hooking it high and leaving Axar Patel with an easy take for the first India wicket of the day.
England 13-0 (1), Salt 5, Buttler 8, Singh 0-13 (1)
15:32 , Chris WilsonJos Buttler and Phil Salt out first for England, with Arshdeep Singh opening the bowling.
A decent start from Salt, scooping a four off his feet to begin with and then adding a single.
Buttler gets off the mark with his first shot too, finding the boundary for four and then getting a slice of luck as he slices through his own legs for another four.
A settled start for the visitors!
England chasing 254 runs
15:27 , Chris WilsonBoth sides just taking the usual break before the England innings, with the India team warming up ahead of the deciding half of the match.
They must be supremely confident in Mumbai right now.
Match stats
15:23 , Chris WilsonThat India total is the fourth highest ever set in the T20 World Cup, with Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in 2007 taking top spot.
Steven Finn says on BBC 5 Live that England “need to play the greatest England sporting comeback ever if they want to win this”.
India finish on 253-7
15:17 , Chris WilsonThe final ball of the India innings is hit for a fortunate double by Patel, and India’s time at the crease finishes with a huge score of 253.
An outstanding innings of 89 from Samson and a worthy contribution from Dube too, who finished on 43.
OUT! Hardik run out (Bethell) 27, India 251-7
15:16 , Chris WilsonA final wicket of the day for England as Bethell runs out Hardik Pandya, but it feels too late for the visitors.
India 250-6 (20), Hardik 20, Axar 2, Jacks 2-39 (4)
15:14 , Chris WilsonJacks’s first ball to Hardik sits up nicely and disappears into the stands for another six.
There’s a dot ball next up, but no problem for Hardik as he drives another India six back over the wicket!This has got away from England even in the last few overs alone.
OUT! Tilak b Archer 21, India 236-6
15:10 , Chris WilsonBut Archer gets his wicket in the end! Bowled full length and it catches out Tilak.
Axar Patel up next into the crease, and he hits a single to end the penultimate over.
India 236-5 (19), Hardik 14, Tilak 21, Archer 0-60 (4)
15:09 , Chris WilsonNot a bad over from Curran given the circumstances, so can England follow it up with another?
Not a good start once again, Tilak getting his first six of the day off the first ball, launching it over wide long-on.
And he follows it up with an incredible shot for another six, slicing it away through backward point to leave the England players sighing.
The record shows he has a strong record against pace – and he’s really proven it now, cutting behind for another six!
India 217-5 (18), Hardik 14, Tilak 3, Curran 0-53 (4)
15:04 , Chris WilsonOh! Almost another wicket straight away but Tom Banton can’t make the catch! He had to cover a lot of ground there, so that one’s not on him.
Curran concedes another four and a wide for his final over of the day.
OUT! Dube run out (Brook) 43, India 212-5
15:00 , Chris WilsonAnother wicket falls! This time it’s Dube, who has also tormented the tourists at times.
It’s a simple run out too, with a mis-communication between the two India batters and Brook taking advantage as he finds the stumps.
India 212-4 (17), Hardik 13, Dube 43, Curran 0-48 (3)
14:58 , Chris WilsonSam Curran steps up to try and guide England through this next over.
It’s not a good start, sitting perfectly for Dube as he lifts it over the boundary for another six.
However, the next delivery moves plenty and there’s a shout for lbw, Dube having come across but the umpire having originally ignored it,
It goes upstairs...but the review is lost.
India 205-4 (17), Hardik 13, Dube 37, Overton 0-36 (3)
14:55 , Chris WilsonHardik Pandya out to bat for the hosts, who are closing in on 200 now.
A couple of boundaries for the India pairing gets them there, Hardik hitting his first four of the day to move his side to 201 before following that with another clever shot to move to 205!
OUT! Suryakumar st Buttler b Rashid 11 , India 190-4
14:52 , Chris WilsonAnother wicket! Just as it looked like India might be getting started again, Suryakumar is out!
He mis-times the swing and the ball flies under his bat. Buttler collects and manages to stump him and India move to 190.
India 190-3 (16), Suryakumar 11, Dube 35, Rashid 1-41 (4)
14:48 , Chris WilsonRashid for his last over of the day. What can he deliver for England?
Not a lot to begin with! Dube hits him for an 82m six,
And there’s another! This one is from Suryakumar, who reverse-sweeps the third delivery past the boundary.
India 177-3 (15), Suryakumar 5, Dube 28, Curran 0-42 (3)
14:45 , Chris WilsonAnother decent start from England, this one courtesy of Sam Curran, though there was a wide in there.
And the good start only lasts for so long as Dube blasts a great shot back down the wicket for four.
A single to finish and India move to 177.
India 166-3 (14), Suryakumar 4, Dube 20, Jacks 2-25 (3)
14:40 , Chris WilsonRight-hander Suryakumar Yadav is out into the crease next for the hosts.
Nothing explosive to begin with but he drives away a couple of Jacks’ deliveries for singles.
One wide and another single and it’s a very economical over from Jacks there!
India 160-3 (13.1)
14:37 , Chris WilsonA brief drinks breaks now as England look to regroup and land another blow quickly.
OUT! Samson c Salt b Jacks 89, India 160-3
14:35 , Chris WilsonAnd he’s gone! Finally Sanju Samson falls, though it might be that the damage is done already.
The India talisman hooks it high from the first ball of Will Jacks’ over, and Salt is there in the right field to take the catch.
India 160-2 (13), Samson 89, Dube 18, Archer 0-41 (3)
14:33 , Chris WilsonA couple of dot balls to begin the over from Archer, before Dube takes a single and Samson follows it with two more sixes!
One hit over backward point and one more or less straight back down the wicket. How pivotal does that dropped catch from Brook look now!
India 145-2 (12), Samson 76, Dube 17, Rashid 1-28 (3)
14:27 , Chris WilsonA huge six from Dube to announce himself to the home faithful, and he follows with a single.
Samson back on strike, and he takes a single of his own.
And another huge six from Dube! His 13th of the tournament and India are looking very comfortable now.
India 130-2 (11), Samson 74, Dube 3, Overton 0-21 (2)
14:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is turning into another T20 World Cup masterpiece from Sanju Samson, who would not have been playing if not for the sad absence of Rinku Singh after his father’s passing. After an unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, the opener flies past 70 with another picture-perfect drive over mid-off for six.
The tall Shivam Dube has an imposing stance at the crease, which makes a Jamie Overton wide that flies over his head very short indeed. India still rattling along and basically 12s.
India 119-2 (10), Samson 67, Dube 1, Rashid 1-13 (2)
14:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleShivam Dube gets a promotion to No 4, another leftie to keep England on their toes, and a noted hitter of spin to boot. He tries to give Adil Rashid some humpty straight away, but fails to time his leg-side heave.
Rashid, as per, has been a class apart: 1-13 from his two over so far.
OUT! Ishan Kishan c Jacks b Rashid 39 (18b 4x4 2x6), India 117-2 (9.3)
14:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleRespite at last for England! Ishan Kishan falls!
Muted celebrations from Harry Brook and his men but that feels a key wicket. Kishan charges Adil Rashid but doesn’t quite there, and skews to long-off running in. Will Jacks is sharp of foot and safe of hand to break the partnership.
India 112-1 (9), Samson 65, Kishan 35, Curran 0-32 (2)
14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle100 up in eight and a half overs for India, and they aren’t anywhere near done. Deep midwicket on either boundary is cleared with ease, first by Ishan Kishan, then Sanju Samson.
Sam Curran just can’t halt the flow of runs. He switches angle to around the wicket after Samson clumps him through the covers for four more, but pushes his line too wide, and is greeted by the opening arms of the umpire.
Samson has 65 from 31; Kishan 35 from 16. The partnership is worth 92.
50! India 92-1 (8), Samson 53, Kishan 28, Dawson 0-19 (1)
14:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh, that’s marvellous! Borderline smut from Sanju Samson, going to 50 with a long limbed lift over extra cover. Simply sublime.
Ishan Kishan repeats the dose two balls later, his stylings a more leg-sided lumping as he hits with the spin of England’s left-armer.
India 76-1 (7.1), Samson 46, Kishan 19, Dawson 0-3 (0.1)
14:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleTweakers at both ends - Liam Dawson, who opens with a wide trying to hide the ball outside Ishan Kishan’s off stump. A misfield from Will Jacks then concedes a couple. England fraying slightly after that wretched Harry Brook drop earlier.
India 73-1 (7), Samson 46, Kishan 17, Rashid 0-6 (1)
14:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleBetter from Adil Rashid thereafter, providing a bit of flight to get up above the eyeline of the two batters.
India 71-1 (6.1), Samson 45, Kishan 16, Rashid 0-4 (0.1)
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut of the powerplay and here is England’s leggie, welcomed most magnificently by Sanju Samson, crunching a cover drive for four. Rashid bowls his first ball out of the front of the hand, as he tends to, but is too full and wide, and given the treatment. Alarms sounding for England.
India 67-1 (6), Samson 41, Kishan 16, Curran 0-12 (1)
13:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Curran is next to serve at the batters’ buffet. His trademark uber-slow slower ball is picked by Sanju Samson, who waits and waits and waits and then sends it over mid-on’s head for four. On pace, now, and sliced between point and third man for another boundary. A single takes him into the 40s from just 19 balls.
Curran goes short; too short, a wide. A couple more singles and it’s another expensive one for England, who you’d imagine will be tossing the ball Adil Rashid’s way.
India are off to a strong start in Mumbai
13:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle India 55/1 (5), Samson 31, Kishan 15, Overton 0-10 (1)
13:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleJamie Overton relieves Jofra Archer, right-arm aggression into the surface. It looks a pitch where you need to be that little bit fuller - Sanju Samson has looked very comfortable against Archer when he’s been back of a length, and Overton wisely pushes it up there to invite the drive.
That’s too full and too straight, though, to the left-handed Ishan Kishan, who produces serious whippage to send it spinning to the boundary and bat whirling above his head. Even better! An imperious cover drive with limited foot movement to again show how small the margin for error is. Overton throws in a sharp bumper to get out of the over, Kishan ducking beneath. Ten from it.
India 45/1 (4), Samson 30, Kishan 6, Jacks 1-19 (2)
13:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleWill Jacks gets a second over, with Ishan Kishan turning him over to Sanju Samson with the match-up advantage. Samson obliges, crisply cutting through the offside ring to go to 29 from 12 balls.
Kishan joins in the fun, down on a knee and planting a pull past square leg. India off to a flyer.
India 34/1 (3), Samson 25, Kishan 0, Archer 0-26 (2)
13:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd Sanju Samson makes Brook pay! Archer drops slightly shorter and is positively walloped up into the third tier over midwicket. Samson is good at picking that sort of length.
Substance, meet style. An elegant carve of a yorker through third man for four. What touch India’s opener is in.
Dropped! India 24/1 (2.2), Samson 15, Kishan 0, Archer 0-16 (1.2)
13:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleA goober! Oh, Harry Brook!
How crucial could that be? It’s an absolute sitter for the England captain at mid-on as Sanju Samson mistimes a drive, but Brook inexplicably lets it burst between his fingers in front of his face.
OUT! Abhishek Sharma c Salt b Jacks 9 (7b 2x4 0x6), India 20/1 (2)
13:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Wankhede falls silent! Hoisted to deep midwicket!
Abhishek Sharma had just shuffled down and planted Will Jacks over extra cover for a one bounce four, but comes a-cropper as he tries to keep the momentum rolling. He’s not quite to the pitch of a ball dragged slightly shorter and can only haul it high in the air, with Phil Salt settling safely beneath it. A vital strike for England with India just getting going.
India 16/0 (1.1), Samson 11, Abhishek 5, Jacks 0-4 (0.1)
13:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt will be Will Jacks from the other end, off-spin to the left-handed Abhishek - and he’s flayed away immediately! Just a hint of width and a little too short and the southpaw swats him for four through point.
Abhishek is all about intent, like most of this new breed of Indian batters.
India 12/0 (1), Samson 11, Abhishek 1, Archer 0-12 (1)
13:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleJofra Archer has an excellent record in T20Is against Sanju Samson, the pair former Rajasthan Royals teammates. He beats the bat second ball with a bit of away movement.
That’s a fine riposte, though, Archer deposited up over mid-on with Samson sitting back in his crease. And that’s six! Short, too straight and swivelled high over the short fine leg fielder! That’s a poor ball, really, and given the treatment.
Can Archer get fuller? Yes, caressed to cover for a sharp single. Abhishek Sharma replies in kind to keep the strike at the end of the over.
India 0/0 (0,1), Samson 0, Abhishek 0, Archer 0-0 (0.1)
13:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleA calm start. Sanju Samson runs the first ball to short third for no run. Good lift from Jofra Archer on a surface with a slight green tinge.
India 0/0 (0), Samson 0, Abhishek 0
13:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnsurprisingly, it’ll be Jofra Archer with first use of the gleaming white Kookaburra. Harry Brook directs a few fielders around before taking up his position. Jamie Overton is at first slip for England to the right-handed Sanju Samson. It looks like square leg and deep backward point are the permitted two men out.
England vs India
13:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut come the teams. This opening powerplay feels huge - Jofra Archer aside, England aren’t blessed with new-ball options. Opening with Liam Dawson would be a huge risk against the free-swinging Abhishek Sharma; similarly, Sanju Samson may fancy himself against Will Jacks’ off-breaks.
LAST TIME OUT: England finish Super 8s with perfect record
13:20 , Luke BakerEngland had already qualified for the semi-final when they faced New Zealand in their final Super 8s game but produced an impressive performance to win by four wickets
LAST TIME OUT: India beat West Indies in winner-takes-all clash
13:15 , Luke BakerSanju Samson’s brilliant unbeaten 97 from 50 balls saw India chase down 196 with four deliveries to spare to beat West Indies and snatch second place in their Super 8s pool.
India team news and playing XI
13:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleInterestingly, Suryakumar Yadav says he would have batted - the India skipper is perfectly happy to be stuck in. It’s the same team as beat the West Indies, unsurprisingly.
India XI: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Ishan Kishan, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah.
England team news and playing XI
13:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland bring back Jamie Overton, replacing Rehan Ahmed. An extra seam option for Harry Brook to play with on a slightly less spin-friendly surface.
England’s XI is as follows:
1 Phil Salt, 2 Jos Buttler (wk), 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Harry Brook (capt), 5 Tom Banton, 6 Sam Curran, 7 Will Jacks, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Liam Dawson, 10 Jofra Archer, 11 Adil Rashid.
ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND BOWL
13:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleA potentially vital moment - England skipper Harry Brook wins the toss and elects to bowl first. They will chase with the benefit of dew later.
Sam Curran: England will have no fear
12:51 , Luke BakerIndia may head into this afternoon’s clash as favourites but England won’t be playing with fear in Mumbai, insists Sam Curran.
“It’s an experience as a young cricketer you dream of: playing India in the semi-final of a World Cup,” all-rounder Curran stated.
“India are a quality side but we’ve played a lot of cricket here. We know how to play on these grounds and we know what to expect. The IPL, no question, has helped a lot of that with the players. Having played in the ground many times, there’s not many unknowns.
“We’re not fearing anything and I’m sure both teams are really excited by the challenge. If the crowd are silent, England are probably going to be doing well. That’s our positive way of looking at it.”
Curran says England will play without fear against India in T20 World Cup semi-final
India v England talking points: England in a spin?
12:42 , Luke BakerA key tactical battle revolves around spin. England have a perfect record this year, winning all nine white-ball games in spin-friendly Sri Lanka.
However, suspicion persists regarding their ability to handle spin in India, where the ball behaves differently.
Harry Brook, for instance, fell to India’s slow bowlers in all five innings during England’s 4-1 loss last winter, with Varun Chakravarthy claiming 14 wickets.
To exploit this perceived weakness, India could introduce left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav to complement Varun and slow left-armer Axar Patel, potentially at a seamer's expense.
India v England talking points: Buttler's worrying woes
12:30 , Luke BakerWhile Jacks is a beacon of England’s ability to win from any position, former captain and current wicketkeeper Jos Buttler finds himself at the opposite end of the form spectrum.
The 35-year-old, widely regarded as England’s greatest white-ball batter, has registered five successive single-figure scores, averaging just 8.85. Is this a temporary blip or a more concerning decline?
Known for performing on the biggest stages, Buttler is under immense pressure to deliver an innings of substance in Mumbai to dispel doubts.
India v England talking points: A Jacks of all trades
12:18 , Luke BakerDespite reaching a fifth successive T20 World Cup semi-final, England admit they are yet to deliver a complete performance.
Each of their six victories featured moments on the brink of defeat, yet they consistently dominated decisive junctures. This resilience is often bolstered by crucial 'bits-and-pieces' cameos from Will Jacks.
The all-rounder, batting at seven and providing a spare spin option, acknowledges he “would not have much to do if England were flying”, yet has remarkably collected four player of the match awards.
India v England talking points: McCullum's future on the line?
12:06 , Luke BakerThe semi-final's outcome could significantly impact England head coach Brendon McCullum's future.
A record third T20 crown might buy McCullum more time after the team's dismal Ashes performance this winter.
Despite those struggles, England have shown formidable T20 form, winning 16 of their last 18 completed matches. Reaching the final, or securing another trophy, could redefine opinion on McCullum’s tenure.
India v England talking points: A fascinating rematch
11:54 , Luke BakerToday’s semi-final marks the third consecutive time these cricketing giants have clashed at this crucial stage.
This encounter is a decisive rubber match between the two nations, following previous semi-final showdowns.
England triumphed by 10 wickets in Adelaide four years ago, only for India to exact revenge with a 68-run victory in Guyana in 2024. On both occasions, the victor went on to lift the trophy.
While India benefit from home advantage, many England players boast extensive IPL experience in high-pressure environments. All-rounder Sam Curran confidently stated the team does not have "anything to fear".
Spin no problem for England, insists Brook
11:42 , Luke BakerMore from England captain Harry Brook, who swatted away the idea that India’s spin options could cause his side issues.
England could face mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took 14 wickets in five matches during India’s 4-1 T20 series triumph last year.
Varun dismissed Brook on three occasions but the Yorkshireman bristled at suggestions England struggle against spin, arguing six T20 wins in Sri Lanka this year is ample evidence to reject that idea.
“I feel like England always get a bad rap for playing against spin,” Brook said. “We accepted that before coming into this competition, we were going to face challenges on pitches that can assist spin.
“But we’ve gone to Sri Lanka and we’ve won six games in a row against a subcontinent side who are very good in their own backyard. We’ve got a lot of confidence playing on turning pitches.”
Harry Brook backs Jos Buttler despite struggles
11:30 , Luke BakerEngland captain Harry Brook was bullish in the build-up to this semi-final about hopelessly out-of-form opener Jos Buttler, who has amassed just 15 runs in his last five innings and possesses a meagre tournament average of 8.85.
“You don’t have to talk to him too much,” Brook said. “Leaving him alone is probably the best thing to do. He’s been a powerhouse cricketer for many years as we’ve all seen.
“I’ve been asked this question 1,000 times and I think there should be no reason to question why he’s in the team.”
PREVIEW: India might be heavy favourites but England are the most awkward team left in the T20 World Cup
11:16 , Luke BakerOf the four teams that made the semi-finals, it is fair to say England were not favourites to win this T20 World Cup.
Their semi-final opponents India are the hosts and reigning champions; South Africa were the tournament’s outstanding team with a paper-perfect T20 team right until they lost to New Zealand in yesterday’s semi-final, as the Black Caps once again demonstrated their matchplay nous at the business end of these things.
Meanwhile, England have mostly fumbled their way here. They struggled past Nepal, lost to West Indies and it wasn’t entirely smooth against Scotland or Italy either. Their opening partnership, between Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, averages 12 runs and lasts nine balls.
And yet, as the Indian camp prepares to face England, the image that comes to mind is of puzzled looks, furrowed brows and pens poised intently over blank notepads. How do you prepare for a team’s in-form batter at No 7? How do you lay traps for a captain whose wagon wheel covers every corner of the ground? How do you bowl at an opener whose hands appear to have detached from his body? In short, how do you beat this England?
India are favourites but England are the most awkward team left in the T20 World Cup
Early India team news
11:08 , Luke BakerIndia have plenty of strength in depth but could lean towards selecting the same XI that defeated West Indies in what was effectively a quarter-final for them.
There are question marks over Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel’s places with Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj waiting in the wings.
Possible India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
Early England team news
11:05 , Luke BakerEngland selected Rehan Ahmed for their final Super 8 match against New Zealand. Ahmed impressed taking two wickets and scoring a vital 19* helping England to a four-wicket win.
He replaced Jamie Overton for that game and England face a decision on whether to restore the seamer or stick with Ahmed for the semi-final.
Possible England XI: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
How to watch India v England
11:03 , Luke BakerEngland vs India will begin at 1.30pm GMT on Thursday 5 March at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the semi-final live on Sky Sports with coverage beginning at 1pm. A live stream will be available via Sky Go.
Everything you need to know about India v England
10:59 , Luke BakerTwo of the favourites to win the T20 World Cup will battle it out at the semi-final stage as England take on India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Today’s semi-final pits the two pre-tournament favourites against each other with the hosts, India, seeking to reach Sunday’s showpiece as they hope to defend the title they won in 2024.
India finished second in their Super 8s group having pulled off a great escape against the West Indies in their final match with Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 inspiring a chase of 196 with four balls remaining.
That victory sets them on a collision course with Harry Brook’s England who started the tournament slowly but won all three of their Super 8 matches to top Group B and reach the final four.
Is England vs India on TV? How to watch T20 World Cup semi-final
India v England - T20 World Cup semi-final
10:30 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of the T20 World Cup semi-final between England and India.
A place in the final against New Zealand is at stake, so stick with us for full coverage
