New Delhi: As much as England, India would have to beat their knock-out woes if they are to enter the final of the T20 World Cup.
Having gone down to the defending champions in the semi-final stage two years ago, India would be fuelled by added motivation to settle scores this time around.
Since winning the Champion Trophy, India are yet to win any major ICC tournments, unable to perform during big pressure matches amidst heightened expectations.
They are in roaring form too having comprehensively beaten Pakistan in the group stage and Australia in their last Super Eights game.
Their aggressive batting approach from the very beginning sets them up for big scores and with the penetrative ability of Jasprit Bumrah they have a handy bowling attack that is difficult to score from.
It gives a very positive feel about the team, which is worrying news for England on a Georgetown pitch that is expected to assist India’s spinners.
England would depend on Adil Rashid to stop India’s run-flow in the middle overs while aiming to knock off Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli early on.
India skipper Sharma is fresh from a match-winning 41-ball 92 against the Aussies and his selfless and bold approach has been the team’s greatest strength, masking the struggle of Kohli.
The former India skipper would definitely want to make amends for failing to score big in the tournament so far and the high-stakes clash could bring out the best in him.
India would also need greater efforts from their middle-order batters Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. England too have a power-packed batting line-up that boasts of Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook and Jonny Bairstow.
Their pace-bowling is also strengthened by the return of Jofra Archer from long-time elbow injury, making his battle with Sharma and Kohli worth watching with hat-trick star on their last game Chris Jordan providing back-up.
Though rain could alter all plans of the teams as it could impact the game with weather forecasts predicting showers on the eve and during the match.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Harry Brook, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
Match begins at 8pm IST
Live on Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar
India take on defending champions in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
