T20 World Cup semi-finals: England look to upset in-form India in Guyana

Australia had beaten Eoin Morgan’s side convincingly two weeks earlier at Lord’s. Before the meeting with India in 2022, talk was already all about the prospect of an all-Asian final against Pakistan.

If not the proverbial rollercoaster, England have sailed the highs and lows of the Caribbean seas during this tournament, leaving them second-favourites in a two-horse race once again.

They almost exited at the first stage, only scraping through at the expense of Scotland with a helping hand from their Ashes rivals.

Momentum and a feel-good factor has been built by the wins over Oman, Namibia and the United States, but how good is this England side?

West Indies are the only Test-playing nation they have beaten en route to the last four, albeit in impressive style.

This semi-final will define the answer to that question.

In contrast, India eased through amid the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. They were put front and centre in New York as the showpiece act in cricket’s attempt crack the States and progressed with little fuss.

On arrival in the Caribbean they continued serenely on their way – not truly tested since their tight win over Pakistan.

Sunday’s win over Australia was ominous, captain Rohit Sharma finding form with a fierce 92 from 41 balls. Someone could ask Josh Hazlewood on his flight home whether letting the India captain crash eight sixes was in Australia’s “best interests”.

The great Virat Kohli has only made double figures twice in this tournament and has a high score of 37. The fear for England is he cannot stay quiet much longer.

India go into this match with the advantage of having known they would travel to Guyana for a semi-final since the fixtures were announced, because of how this tournament has been built for Indian television.

England were set as second-place finishers in their group on Sunday night but could not travel until Tuesday morning when their destination was finally confirmed.

With hotels and flights as scarce as a Jasprit Bumrah long-hop, there will be no English media and very few fans in Georgetown.

India picked a squad with four spinners back in May, knowing a semi-final on one of the tournament’s slowest pitches was waiting.

Kuldeep Yadav did not play once on the seamer-friendly surfaces of the US, Yuzvendra Chahal is yet to feature at all.

One will certainly play, possibly two, given wrist-spinners have been by far the most effective option at Providence Stadium.

England could even be tempted to give a debut to their spare spinner, Tom Hartley. He had a long bowl before Sunday’s match against USA.