Team India and Harry Brook (Source:X)
Former England captain Michael Atherton has stirred the pot ahead of the high-voltage semifinal 2 clash between India and England in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. He stated that despite India’s strength, they are ‘not unbeatable.’
Suryakuamar Yadav and Co will host England at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on March 5. The winner of this clash will meet either the South Africa or the New Zealand in the summit clash.
Both India and England have already lifted the T20 World Cup trophy twice and are chasing a historic third title.
This will be the third consecutive T20 World Cup semifinal between India and England, following their clashes in 2022 and 2024.
Michael Atherton makes bold statement ahead of IND vs ENG
Speaking on the Sky Cricket Podcast, Michael Atherton acknowledged India’s quality but pointed out what he believes are visible cracks in the side.
"India are an exceptional side, obviously, and I thought the run chase against West Indies under pressure [to qualify for the semi-finals] was exceptional."
Michael Atherton also highlighted what he sees as India’s main vulnerabilities. According to him, India lacks a spare bowling option beyond their main five bowlers.
He suggested that if England’s batters manage to target one or two of India's frontline bowlers successfully, the balance of the game could shift quickly.
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"But I do not think they are unbeatable. Issues like fielding, bowling if you get after one or two of their main five (bowlers) - they are lacking a spare option in that department."
He also noted that not all Indian batters have hit peak form yet in the tournament. While India have delivered strong performances overall, there have been phases where their top and middle order have not looked entirely fluent.
"Some of their batters have not found their best either, so they are not impregnable. I think England have to be at their best to beat them - and my instinct would be an India vs South Africa in the final, a replay of 2024," he concluded.
England banking on improvement despite top-order struggles
While pointing out India's weaknesses, Michael Atherton also admitted that England must raise their own game to advance.
Interestingly, England's journey to the semifinals has not been flawless. Openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt have struggled to fire consistently. The pair have not managed 200 runs together in the tournament, with Phil Salt scoring the only half-century among them.
Jos Buttler has scored just 62 runs in seven innings at an average of 8.86 and a strike-rate of 106.90. On the other hand, Phil Salt has made 125 runs in 7 innings at an average of 17.86 and a strike-rate of 158.23.
"Everybody said before this tournament that if England are going to win it then a big part of it will be the Salt-Buttler partnership, but neither has really got going," said Atherton.
"They will take confidence from winning without that main bit of their team functioning, and they are getting better.
England and India's T20 World Cup tournament so far
England have reached the semifinals despite their key partnership underperforming. Wins over Nepal, Scotland, Italy, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand have shown that other players have stepped up when needed.
India, on the other hand, topped their group with victories against the USA, Namibia, Pakistan, and the Netherlands.
In the Super 8 stage, a tough loss to South Africa served as a wake-up call, after which they bounced back strongly against Zimbabwe and the West Indies.
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