Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Mar 5: India national cricket team are expected to field an unchanged playing XI for their T20 World Cup semi-final against England cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

Sources indicate that the reigning champions are set to back the same combination that secured victory over the West Indies cricket team in Kolkata on Sunday, opting for continuity in the high-stakes encounter.

The Indian team management inspected the pitch on both Tuesday and Wednesday, closely assessing conditions ahead of the clash. Dew is expected to play a crucial role, given the hot and humid weather in Mumbai over the past few days. Noticeable dew during England’s practice session on Wednesday evening has further highlighted the potential importance of the toss.

On the eve of the match, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted there was uncertainty regarding how the surface would behave.

“We’re not quite sure a day out how the wicket is going to play. It’s a lot hotter all of a sudden in India, so in terms of moisture and allowing the wicket not to dry out, I think it’s going to be key to playing well,” Morkel said.

“Team selection will go in terms of what we see on game day. From there, we just need to be smart in our skills, reading the conditions and adapting to it. I expect it to be a good wicket, a high-scoring game. We are preparing ourselves for tough conditions, and from there, we will assess,” he added.

The semi-final marks the third consecutive T20 World Cup meeting between India and England at this stage of the tournament. England emerged victorious in the 2022 semi-final, while India had the upper hand in the 2024 edition, setting the stage for another intense contest under the lights at the Wankhede.