Phil Salt and Jos Buttler - (Source: X.com)
On Thursday, March 5, India and England will lock horns for the 2nd T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The two teams will meet in the semis for the third straight edition. England handed India a 10-wicket defeat in 2022, while the Men in Blue avenged their embarrassment in the 2024 tournament in the West Indies.
In this edition, both teams are fresh off a win. England started their campaign on a negative note as they nearly lost to Nepal and suffered a defeat against the Windies. However, despite a poor group-stage, the Harry Brook-led side bounced back in Super 8 and were the first team to qualify for semis with three wins in three matches.
India vs England Preview
Talking about England, their top order is struggling as Phil Salt and Jos Buttler are yet to click in this tournament. The Three Lions’ middle-order has been underwhelming as well, but the team’s command has been with Will Jacks, who has won a record four player of the match awards so far.
England’s spinners and Will Jacks have been their best performers, but eyes are on the management, whether they will make changes to the top-order or go with an unchanged XI for the India Test. Therefore, this article will shed light on England’s predicted playing XI for the semi-final against India.
England Playing XI Vs India- T20 World Cup 2026
Openers and top order: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook
The biggest question for tomorrow's game is England's opening pair. If there was a team made for the flop XI of the tournament, then Buttler and Salt would be there. The former England captain has just 62 runs in seven innings, averaging 8.86.
Phil Salt, on the other hand, has 125 runs in seven innings, averaging 17.86. Therefore, the management has a selection dilemma whether to fit in Ben Duckett in place of Jos Buttler for India game or go ahead with the veterans.
Also Read: Gautam Gambhir's Moving Speech Leaves Rinku Singh Emotional
Harry Brook's promotion at the top has done wonders for England as the Three Lions slammed a century against Pakistan and also played a 26-run knock against The Kiwis.
At present, it seems like the management trust their former captain and won't make any changes in their top-order.
Middle order and all-rounders: Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Will Jacks
Jacob Bethell started the tournament on a high, but has lost his rhythm along the way. The RCB star has 175 runs in 7 innings, averaging 25.00. However, since his finger injury, the 22-year-old has not bowled for the Three Lions.
Will Jacks has been the best performer for England in this edition as he has equalled Shane Watson for most player of the match awards (4) in a single tournament. Jacks, who has 191 runs in seven innings and seven wickets will look to rewrite history against India.
Rest, Sam Curran and Tom Banton will continue to headline England's middle-order, which has been Three Lions' best department in the tournament.
Bowlers: Rehan Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer
England are likely to go ahead with Rehan Ahmed, who has an edge over the others because of his batting ability. He proved his mettle against New Zealand where the youngster scored quickfire 19 (7) and picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs.
Since Wankhede Stadium will offer help to the batters and won't be that spinner friendly, then Liam Dawson is expected to make way for Jamie Overton, who missed the last match because of games in Sri Lanka.
Rest, Jofra Archer will look after the pace attack and he will be assisted by Adil Rashid as the prime spinner in the team.
England playing XI Vs India-- Philip Salt, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook (C), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Rehan Ahmed Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Also Read: SA vs NZ Head To Head Records- Semifinal, ICC T20 World Cup 2026
.jpg?type=mq "MSD on Sarfaraz Khan")
