The second semi-final of T20 World Cup 2026 will be played today i.e. on March 5 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The teams of India and England will be face to face. This match will start at 7 pm and the toss will take place half an hour before that i.e. at 6:30 pm. This match is not only a semi-final but also an opportunity to make history, because the winning team of this match will reach the final for the fourth time i.e. the most in the history of the T20 World Cup. In the first semi-final, New Zealand defeated South Africa by nine wickets and made it to the final. Now the world’s eyes are on the India-England clash.
Teams that have reached the T20 World Cup finals the most number of times
India – 3 times (2007, 2014, 2024)
England – 3 times (2010, 2016, 2022)
Pakistan – 3 times (2007, 2009, 2022)
Sri Lanka – 3 times (2009, 2012, 2014)
New Zealand – 2 times (2021, 2026*)
West Indies – 2 times (2012, 2016)
Australia – 2 times (2010, 2021)
Wankhede Stadium: Batsman’s Paradise
Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium is counted among the most high-scoring grounds in the world. It was established in 1974. The seating capacity of this stadium is about 32 thousand spectators. The first Test was played here in the year 1975. Whereas the first ODI was played in 1987. The first T20 international match was played on this ground in 2012. This ground is traditionally known for its flat pitch and short boundaries. Here the ball comes directly on the bat, which makes it easier for the batsmen to play big shots. We have seen sixes, fours and runs raining in IPL and T20 International. Here the batsmen get equal help in both the innings. One cannot feel safe by making any big score here.
Pitch report: Full hope of scoring runs
The pitch at Wankhede is generally favorable for the batsmen. The new ball may provide light swing to the fast bowlers, but batting becomes easier as the match progresses. Due to the red clay pitch, there is good bounce. Short boundaries are helpful for power-hitters. This is why scores of more than 200 are often seen here. Aggressive batsmen like India captain Suryakumar Yadav and England captain Harry Brook can make a big difference on this pitch. For Suryakumar, this is the home ground. He and Hardik know this ground very well. The Wankhede Stadium is often considered an ideal ground for power-hitters, where the batsmen play freely and can dominate their team in the early stages of the match. In such a situation, eyes will also be on Abhishek and Salt. Apart from this, dew can also have some impact in night matches. This is why the team winning the toss here often prefers to bowl first.
How important is the role of toss?
In T20 cricket, the toss often decides the course of the match. In the 16 T20 Internationals played at Wankhede, the team batting first has won eight times, while the team chasing has also won eight times. It is clear that the toss has not been decisive here. However, many captains may try to create scoreboard pressure by batting first.
Big records of Wankhede
This ground is famous for big scores. Know some important figures here-
Highest score: 254/6 (West Indies vs Zimbabwe, 2026)
India’s highest score: 247/9 vs England and 240/3 vs West Indies
England’s highest score: 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)
Most successful chase: 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)
Lowest score successfully defended: 161/8 (India vs USA, 2026)
Lowest score: 97/10 (England vs India, 2025)
India vs England: Head-to-head record
T20 matches between the two teams have always been exciting. A total of 29 T20 matches have been played between the two so far. Out of these, India has won 17 matches and England has won 12 matches. Both the teams have come face to face five times in the T20 World Cup. Of these, Team India has won three and England has won two matches. Both the teams have come face to face twice at Wankhede ground. In these, India and England have won one match each. Both India-England matches at Wankhede have been very memorable.
2012 match: England achieved the target of 178 runs on the last ball. Captain Eoin Morgan had hit the winning six.
2025 match: India had registered a big win by 150 runs. Abhishek Sharma had scored a brilliant century in that match.
What is the record of India and England at Wankhede Stadium?
If we look at the separate T20 stats of both the teams at Wankhede Stadium, then the England team has won three of the six T20 matches played here and has lost three. Team India has played seven T20 international matches on this ground so far, out of which it has won five matches and lost two matches. Both the teams have come face to face twice in the knockout stage of the T20 World Cup. This happened in the T20 World Cup semi-finals of 2022 and 2024. One match was won by England and one match was won by India. Both the teams have come face to face five times in the knockouts of any ICC tournament. Of these, India has won three matches and England has won two matches.
India vs England in ICC Knockouts
Tournament winning team inter year place
ODI World Cup India 6 wickets 1983 Manchester
ODI World Cup England 35 runs 1987 Mumbai
Champions Trophy India 5 Run 2013 Birmingham
T20 World Cup England 10 Wickets 2022 Adelaide
T20 World Cup India 68 runs 2024 Providence
Will the two clash in the semi-finals of any other ICC tournament?
There has also been a tough rivalry between India and England in the ODI World Cup. Both the teams have come face to face twice in the semi-finals so far. India defeated England by six wickets in the semi-finals of the 1983 ODI World Cup. This match was played at Old Trafford. After this, in the semi-finals of the 1987 ODI World Cup, England defeated India by 35 runs. This match was played at Wankhede.
India vs England: ODI World Cup Semifinal Records
Tournament winning team Margin of victory Year Place
ODI World Cup India 6 wickets 1983 Old Trafford, Manchester
ODI World Cup England 35 runs 1987 Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Probable playing-11 of both the teams
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty.
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethel, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jaques, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid.
weather report
The weather is expected to be clear on the day of the match in Mumbai. The temperature is likely to range from 27°C – 37°C. There is a possibility of 60 percent humidity in the field. There is little chance of rain. This means there will be almost ideal conditions for cricket.
Who will get the benefit of the pitch?
On paper, India may have a slight advantage because the team’s batsmen are better acquainted with the ground and conditions. Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh can change the course of the match with the new ball, but England’s aggressive batting line-up is also capable of chasing any big score. Therefore the contest is expected to be very exciting. The Indian team has strong players in both the batting and bowling departments, who can make a big difference in the match.