Indian players celebrate after winning the semifinal.
| Photo Credit: Emanual Yogini

Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav (Screengrab)

India faced England in the T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, with an interesting moment before the toss as Rohit Sharma, India’s T20 World Cup 2024-winning captain, was seen chatting with current skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The conversation caught the attention of fans and cameras just before the crucial match began.At the toss, England captain Harry Brook won and chose to bowl first. India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav said his team would have preferred to bat as well, believing the pitch looked good and conditions were suitable for batting.“We were looking to bat first. Semifinal, big game, and there’s wind around too. Don’t think there will be much dew. Looks a good one (the pitch). The best one. Credit to all the curators and groundsmen. Same team,” Surya said at the toss.Watch Rohit Sharma attending IND vs ENG T20 World Cup semi-final:Brook explained England’s decision and admitted India had more experience at the venue.“We’re going to have a bowl. Looks like a good wicket, hopefully we can get off to a good start with the ball. They’ve obviously got a lot more experience on this ground than us. T20 cricket is such a fickle game, you never know what’s going to happen. Hopefully we can keep them quiet (the crowd). Overton comes in for Rehan.”Looking at their journey to the semi-finals, India had a mixed campaign. They started with a narrow win over USA, followed by victories against other teams in the group stage. However, they suffered a heavy loss to South Africa in the Super-8 round before bouncing back with important wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies to secure a place in the last four.England’s path was also uneven at first. They scraped past Nepal, lost to West Indies, and struggled in wins over Scotland and Italy. But their form improved in the Super-8 stage with strong victories against Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand, which helped them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals.At Wankhede, England had played two earlier matches with a 1–1 record, while India had won their only game at the venue against USA by 29 runs. Historically, the two sides are evenly matched at this ground, with England winning in 2012 and India returning the favour in 2025.

Not the one to mince words, South African head coach Shukri Conrad said his team’s nine-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semifinal here was “not a choke but a walloping”.

Chasing a tricky 170, New Zealand cantered home in 12.5 overs, powered by their openers on Wednesday night in Kolkata. While Finn Allen’s 100 not out off 33 balls was the fastest century in the event’s history, equally explosive was Tim Seifert with a 33-ball 58.

The ouster added to South Africa’s growing list of heartbreaks in ICC world tournaments. The 2024 runners-up had entered the semifinal as the tournament’s only unbeaten side with seven wins on the trot including handing out defeats to New Zealand (group stage) and home favourites India (Super Eights).

“I don’t know if tonight was a choke. I thought it was a bloody walloping,” Conrad said bluntly when the ‘C’ word was brought up given South Africa’s past record of imploding in high-pressure games.

“In order for you to choke, you must have had a sniff in the game. We didn’t have a sniff. In South Africa, we’d say we ‘got moered (violent assault)’,” he added in his inimitable style.

He then used his native Afrikaans to best sum up the defeat.

“Tonight, we got a proper ‘snotklap’ — that’s an Afrikaans word for a real hiding, a smack you don’t see coming. That’s what it felt like,” said Conrad, who had courted controversy during last year’s Test series in India with fiery comments about wanting the Indian team to “grovel”.

The literal meaning of Afrikaans term ‘snotklap’ is “snot smack”, referring to a blow to the face or nose, so severe that it knocks the ‘snot out of the nose.

The New Zealand bowlers set up the contest nicely with Cole McConchie removing Quinton de Kock (10) and Ryan Rickelton (0) in consecutive deliveries in the second over after they won a good toss.

Later, Rachin Ravindra and Matt Henry stifled South Africa in the middle overs as none of their star batters — Aiden Markram (18 off 20), David Miller (6), Dewald Brevis (34) — could swing their bats.

It was Marco Jansen (55 not out; 30 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (29) who lifted their total in the death overs.

“We recovered nicely with Stabo and Marco but I thought New Zealand were excellent. They exploited conditions really well with their spinners up front and we just never got out the block. So, yeah, full marks to them,” Conrad conceded.

“They were a hell of a lot better than us tonight. We just spoke about it, that it seemed like everything went right.”

With their dream run crashing in the semifinal, he said South Africa did everything right but “chose a really crappy time to have a bad night.”

However, he brushed aside suggestions that playing the bulk of their previous matches in Ahmedabad had left them under-prepared for a different venue.

“There’s obviously a lot to be said about playing all our games at Ahmedabad and then not having played anything in some of the other states. But again, that’s no excuse,” he said.

“They strangled us up front, lost wickets, didn’t get any sort of momentum going. And yeah, a hell of a lot didn’t go right tonight. But that was probably enforced because they were so good and they never gave us a sniff.”

Asked how the team would overcome such a big defeat after a dream run in the preliminaries, Conrad quipped, “Hopefully we’ve got a carrier to pick us up to take us home. Look, I mean, the guys will be hurting and they obviously are, but it’s not a hell of a lot. You get judged on World Cups and winning it.”

Despite the crushing defeat, Conrad took pride in his side’s seven-match winning run enroute the semifinals.

“I thought we did some exceptional stuff throughout the tournament. Played some really good cricket. I am incredibly proud of these guys,” he said.

“Not many people gave us a chance of making the semifinals when we left home, given our form before the World Cup. But that’s no consolation right now,” he signed off.

Published – March 05, 2026 01:21 pm IST

Jasprit Bumrah of India celebrates the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer of West Indies during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Super 8 match between India and West Indies at Eden Gardens on March 01, 2026 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

TimesofIndia.com in Mumbai: The mercury reached uncomfortable levels on Wednesday, with weather forecast apps flashing a “danger of dehydration and heatstroke if outside for extended periods of time” warning. There were occasional moderate breezes, but they were not strong enough to make it a pleasant afternoon. The pitch baked under the harsh sun for most of the day, and the ground staff gently rolled it to keep it game-ready for the semi-final between India and England.From a distance, it seemed to have a nice green tinge, but it was the typical misleading sub-continent green. Its only role was to bind the surface together and prevent it from deteriorating and drying more than normal. The centre strip naturally drew the most attention when the two teams trained on the eve of the match, and both camps hummed similar tunes as they expect it to offer plenty of runs. When India trained two days before the match, light dew started settling on the outfield, but it was not alarming. However, the sudden shift in the weather pattern could make it another talking point.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel delved deeply into the subject, explaining at length why the extra bounce at the venue is a double-edged sword. Having played and watched a lot of cricket at the Wankhede, Morkel asserted that margins here are smaller than at most venues because the “ball travels.”“Look, I think the dew is always a big concern. But that’s again something you can’t control, which is the toss. I think here at Wankhede there’s always that extra bit of bounce. Guys can trust the bounce and hit through the line. But in saying that, that can also, as a bowler, bring you into the game. I just felt, or feel, that the margins here are a lot smaller, the ball travels. It’s quite a small ground. So, yeah, you just need to be really fighting for that over, stay in the moment and compete every ball because, like I said, a batter’s strength can also be his weakness on this surface. So it’s sometimes not to go too defensive and to keep attacking, because opportunities can come,” said Morkel in the pre-match presser.The last time India played England at this venue, they won by 150 runs. In that game, Abhishek Sharma smashed a 54-ball 135, including 13 sixes and seven boundaries, and the opener later picked up two wickets to seal an emphatic win. The stakes, however, are different this time because this is not an inconsequential bilateral fixture but the semi-final of the T20 World Cup.Harry Brook-led England have aced different conditions to progress to the semi-final stage, and Morkel is wary of the challenges they bring to the table. The former South African cricketer felt that the team which holds its nerve, reads the conditions well and is quickest will probably be the one that flies to Ahmedabad.“Playing against England, they’re a team that’s street smart. Obviously, there’s a lot of quality in their side, batting quite long and deep, which makes them a very dangerous side. And then with the ball also, they’ve got wicket-taking options. I think the way they approach a T20 game, fearless and trying to take the game on, will give you opportunities and makes them a dangerous side. So I feel tomorrow is going to be a good shootout between two aggressive teams. And the side that can hold its nerve, play the conditions, read some of the conditions quite well and be the quickest, I reckon, will come out on top,” added Morkel.Neither team has had a perfect game in the tournament so far. The two-time champions will collide in front of a capacity crowd, and the outcome will depend on who aces the challenge. India have had their moments, sealed important junctures in games and managed to win all matches except the fixture against South Africa.The heavy defeat in Ahmedabad set them back, making their remaining games virtual knockouts, and Suryakumar Yadav and Co. have responded well to the challenges they faced. Against Zimbabwe in Chennai, there were signs of the batting unit coming together, but there were early hiccups against the West Indies in Ahmedabad before Sanju Samson dropped anchor, and what a performance it was.The focus, however, will not be the batters but on India’s x-factor Varun Chakravarthy, who single-handedly destroyed England in the five-match T20I series. Varun returned with a haul of 14 wickets, and England’s batters remained clueless against the mystery spinner. The tournament began strongly for Varun, but he seemed to lose his rhythm in the Super 8 stage. The habit of picking up a wicket in every game has continued, but the penetration has not been the same, especially since the hammering he received from South Africa in Ahmedabad.The day before the match, he returned to his routine of bowling at a single stump, and the entire support staff rallied around him as the spinner completed his drills. The coaching staff had normal conversations with Varun, ensuring he walked away feeling good about his bowling. He is an important player who could be the difference between the two sides in the high-pressure fixture on Thursday.

“I keep telling him that in our bowling lineup, with the skill and variation Varun has got, he has the ability to take a wicket almost every ball. So if he goes for a boundary, he has not executed as well as possible. For him it is just about moving on to the next one and making sure he commits to that next ball. I think he’s a highly skilful guy, hard to pick once you walk to the crease. So for him it is just about getting that confidence with the ball, getting his speed, length and control right, and not trying to overthink it. I think with Varun at times, to his credit, he wants to be a big performer for the team, so he puts a little pressure on himself. But, yeah, he’s a match-winner for us, and for him it is just to stay and bowl every ball and make sure it is his best ball,” said Morkel.India have managed to deal with pressure in their last two must-win games. They must embrace that same approach for two more matches if they are to become the only side in the world to win a T20 World Cup at home and defend the title. The shootout at Wankhede is the first challenge.

Sanju Samson of India (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

India opener Sanju Samson has thrust himself into the centre of attention after a match-winning, unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a virtual knockout clash. The calmness he exhibited in a tense chase turned the game on its head and handed India crucial momentum ahead of the semifinal against England.The innings also represents a dramatic turnaround in Samson’s tournament. Having started on the bench after losing his spot in the playing XI, he made full use of the opportunity when recalled for the Windies encounter. Under immense pressure in a chase exceeding 190, the right-hander silenced detractors with a composed and authoritative display that could prove pivotal to India’s campaign.Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis offered a detailed tactical view of Samson’s game, identifying a potential chink in his armour. While acknowledging Samson’s strength through the mid-wicket region, Du Plessis suggested that high pace, particularly well-directed short balls above 140 kmph, can trouble him.“That’s always been the one area where you feel, with Sanju, you can attack him (with short ball), and it’s with high pace. He’s very strong in the tummy area, where that backswing is just beautiful. But 140-plus, if you get it nice and high, you feel like there’s a little window where you can attack him. It’s a weakness. So there’s the evidence in England, so they’ll have the blueprint,” Du Plessis said on ESPNCricinfo.Recent matches have followed a similar script for Samson, with quality short-pitched bowling testing him. The trend resurfaced in the Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, where Blessing Muzarabani removed him early by exploiting that very vulnerability.Expanding on his analysis, Du Plessis emphasised that Samson must now prepare for a barrage of short deliveries, especially against express quicks like Jofra Archer.“Sanju will know what’s coming, so for him now it’s – how do I counter it? What am I going to do when Archer comes short at me? Am I attacking it or are there other bowlers, where I can just play them a little bit better?” the former Proteas skipper added.

New Zealand opener Finn Allen celebrates after scoring the winning runs in the semifinal against South Africa.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK

NEW DELHI: England captain Harry Brook says unity, belief and staying calm under pressure have helped his team reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals — and they don’t need to play a “perfect game” to win the title.England, two-time champions, will face fellow two-time winners India in the semi-final for the third straight edition. While India were labelled favourites at the start, both teams have had ups and downs in the tournament.

When asked if England would need a flawless performance to beat India at home, Brook said: “No, I don’t believe that we need a perfect game to win the competition to be honest.” He added, “The games that we have won have been nowhere near perfect and we’ve still managed to get the wins convincingly in some of them and then tight (in) the other games.”Brook credited team spirit. “But it’s just the unity that we’ve had to be able to get across the line, the belief that everybody’s shown throughout the games and the calmness that we’ve had when the bowlers have stood at the top of the mark,” he said.Calling the clash special, he said, “It’s up there for sure. It’s a dream come true for most of us to play in a World Cup semifinal against the home nation on a very iconic ground, so we’re all really looking forward to it.”Though confident, he admitted, “we haven’t quite played that perfect performance (yet) and I feel like it’s just around the corner… Hopefully, it’s tomorrow (Thursday) night.”Brook also backed out-of-form former captain Jos Buttler, saying, “There should be no reason to question why he’s on the team.”He dismissed concerns about playing spin and said one big individual effort could decide the match: “We don’t feel like we’re ever out of a game so far… I feel like there’s a big individual performance to come.”

India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India are heading into their sixth T20 World Cup semi-final in 10 editions and will take on England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, hoping to defend their title.Their journey in this tournament goes back to 2007, when they reached the semis in the very first edition. India beat Australia in Durban and then defeated Pakistan in the final in Johannesburg to win their first T20 World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir scored 75 in the final, while bowlers like RP Singh and Irfan Pathan played key roles under captain MS Dhoni.After that high, India failed to make the semis in 2009, 2010 and 2012. They returned to the last four in 2014, beating South Africa thanks to Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 72. However, despite Kohli’s 77 in the final, Sri Lanka chased down 131 to deny India the trophy.In 2016, at home, India again reached the semis but lost to eventual champions West Indies in Mumbai.A big moment came in 2022 when India faced England in a knockout for the first time. India made 168/6, with Kohli and Hardik Pandya scoring fifties, but England’s openers chased it down without losing a wicket, winning by 10 wickets before lifting the title.The rivalry continued in 2024. India batted first and scored 171, led by Rohit Sharma’s 57. This time, England collapsed for 103, and India won by 68 runs. They went on to beat South Africa in the final and claim their second T20 World Cup title.Now, India and England are set to meet in the semi-final for the third straight edition. And it is expected to add another chapter to their growing World Cup rivalry.

Daryl Mitchell (Special Arrangement)

NEW DELHI: If Daryl Mitchell wasn’t representing the Black Caps, he might very well have been playing for the All Blacks. Instead of sending bowlers on leather hunts with his brutal hitting or executing sweeps and reverse sweeps against spinners, the experienced cricketer could have been taking on the role of a forward or back in rugby.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The son of renowned rugby player and current England women’s rugby team coach John Mitchell, Daryl’s journey into cricket began almost by accident — but he quickly fell in love with the gentleman’s game.

John Mitchell never pressured his son, always encouraging Daryl to pursue whatever he loved. Having already made his mark in the rugby world, John played for the All Blacks, including the 1993 tour of Britain, where he featured in six uncapped matches, captained the side three times, and led his team to victories on each occasion.After his playing career, John went on to coach the All Blacks, as well as teams in England, the USA, Japan, and beyond.Inspired by his father’s sporting achievements, Daryl initially started out in rugby but was soon drawn to cricket. Today, he has carved out a significant place for himself in New Zealand cricket, establishing a legacy in the sport just as his father did in rugby.

“Daryl was obviously brought up around rugby because I played and coached it. As a youngster, he tried both rugby and football. Later, a development officer from Northern Districts approached me and asked if he could try turning my son into a batsman. I agreed. We even created backyard games — for example, a 12-ball challenge where he had to score 15 runs, with six balls bowled fast and six slow, and consequences for hitting sixes over the fence. Over time, Daryl embraced every challenge, loved the sport, and had fun. I never imagined these games would prepare him for where he is today. What he’s achieved is entirely the result of his own development and mindset,” John Mitchell told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.“Before he played for school sides, Waikato under-15, and even Australian Country Schools, he made the first XV at Hale College in Perth. But he simply loved cricket more. He enjoyed rugby, yet he realised he might not have the speed to play at the highest level. Cricket offered him more opportunities and the individual challenges he thrives on. He has always taken his own decisions in his career—and, in fact, made the right ones!” the proud father added with a laugh.

‘DAD, I WANT TO BE A CRICKETER’John had been keeping a close eye on his son’s progress and noticed the natural inclination the right-hander had towards cricket.He patiently waited for the moment when Daryl would come to him and share his aspirations — and that day arrived sooner than expected.One fine day, a 15-year-old Daryl walked up and said, “Dad, I want to be a cricketer.”John smiled and embraced his son. Though he had dominated the rugby world, he understood how cricket had found its way into Daryl’s life — thanks in large part to Daryl’s grandfather, John’s own father.“We’ve always supported our children’s choices. I never wanted to be a dominant parent or interfere as a coach. I let him set his own goals, and whatever he chose, we were 100% behind him. That independence has likely played a big part in shaping the player he is today,” John Mitchell said.

“A development officer first approached us about shaping him as a batsman. Later, another Northern Districts coach, Pat, also guided him. But the greatest influence was his late grandfather, who drove him to cricket, supported him, and filled in whenever I was away,” he added.Does Daryl’s rugby background help him on the cricket field?“I’m not sure it directly helped, but in many ways, yes,” John said.“The foundations he observed — the preparation and mindset of world-class players—likely influenced him. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it comes through learning from wins and losses. Experiencing that early allowed him to master his craft. Physically, he’s a big guy, which helps, but more importantly, it’s his hard work and attitude that stand out,” he added.

DARYL – THE MAN WHO HANDLES FAILURE WELL, ENJOY SUCCESSDaryl donned the international jersey for the first time in 2019, at the age of 27, against India in Wellington. That same year, he made his Test debut against England in Hamilton, scoring a magnificent 73 on debut. However, the right-hander had to wait two more years to earn his ODI cap, which finally came in 2021 against Bangladesh in Dunedin.Since then, Daryl has become a mainstay in the New Zealand cricket setup, featuring in 35 Tests, 59 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He has grown into a dependable player, one whom his team can rely on whenever he is at the crease.Whether it’s hitting towering sixes, finding gaps, demolishing the required run rate, or changing the course of a game with sweeps and reverse sweeps against the best spinners, Daryl has evolved into a batter that opposing teams plan meticulously against before even stepping onto the field. His ability to adapt to any conditions and deliver under pressure has made him a crucial asset for the Black Caps.

“It’s always a proud moment whenever I see him play for his country and contribute to victories. He’s mature, understands his role, and handles setbacks well. Daryl can play innovative shots, like reverse sweeps, and excels against spinners. Watching him perform for New Zealand is truly rewarding.“The Black Caps have a small player base, but they achieve a lot. They have a good mix of youth and experience. Kane Williamson has set high standards, and Daryl, along with players like Santner, carries that forward. Playing in Asia now gives them exposure to varied conditions and builds confidence,” he said.“One of the biggest qualities in him is how he balances life. No matter what, he makes time for his family. He trains hard, then spends quality time with his daughters, wife Amy, and close friends. He’s also taken up golf and maintains a personal training setup at home. That routine suits his lifestyle and keeps him energised,” the father signed off.

Abhishek Sharma (Pic credit: BCCI)

Back at the Wankhede, Team India opener will hope to rediscover fearless touch at the venue where he smashed 135 vs England last yearMUMBAI: Given the way Abhishek Sharma punished everything bowled at him in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, he was tipped to light up the tournament. It also meant opposition teams went the extra mile to probe for chinks in his armour.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Barring the Zimbabwe game — where the left-hander struck a half-century — rivals have largely succeeded in keeping him quiet. His scores read 0, 0, 0, 15, 55 and 10. Yet the team management have shown faith in the 25-year-old, backing him despite his visible dip in confidence. With the semifinal against England on Thursday at the Wankhede Stadium, changes in the starting XI look unlikely.

India trained in full strength on Tuesday, with players spending considerable time across the four nets at the venue. Abhishek was the last among the playing XI batters to pad up, facing mostly net bowlers, with Arshdeep Singh and Tilak Varma the only regulars to bowl at him. He faced a leg-spinner, two off-spinners — operating from both sides of the crease and bowling back of a length — and a couple of right-arm pacers.The Sunrisers Hyderabad opener focused on playing as straight as possible, a routine he has adopted after his early struggles in the tournament. His six dismissals so far show a clear pattern. Teams have tried to block his scoring zones, cramp him for room and take pace off the ball.Against Pakistan, Netherlands and West Indies, he fell to spinners firing in back-of-a-length darts into middle and leg, keeping the ball out of his arc as he attempted to pull or hoick towards the leg side. Against South Africa and Zimbabwe, slower deliveries from pacers deceived him, resulting in miscued shots.A high-risk approach carries its own perils and altering it overnight is never easy. However, there were signs of adjustment during his 30-ball 55 against Zimbabwe — the second slowest fifty of his T20I career — where he showed greater intent to play with a straight bat.Off-spinners Salman Agha and Aryan Dutt have troubled him, so it will be interesting to see if England use Will Jacks early, even though India have tried to balance their left-heavy top order with the inclusion of Sanju Samson.For Abhishek, the immediate challenge will be to shelve the pull shot against spinners in the early stages and devise a plan for back-of-length deliveries. He could, for instance, take a leaf out of Samson’s playbook against West Indies — creating room to cut square of the wicket or stepping inside the line to access the leg side. Experts believe he should trust his natural instincts but give himself time at the crease before shifting gears.Just over a year ago, Abhishek hammered a 54-ball 135 — his highest T20I score and second century — against England at the Wankhede, facing an attack that included Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton and Adil Rashid. The Indian think tank will hope he can draw inspiration from that innings and rediscover the fearless strokeplay that once made him the toast of Indian cricket.