T20 World Cup Semi-Final: England Takes on India in Mumbai

Sam Curran's redemption, England faces India in crunch showdown

England faces India in the T20 World Cup semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sam Curran's team looks to break India's dominance and reach the final, where they'll face the winner of South Africa vs New Zealand.

“The IPL, no question, has helped a lot. Having played in the ground many times...”

England's Sam Curran is adopting a fearless approach ahead of their T20 World Cup semi-final clash with India. The all-rounder insists England is “not fearing anything” as they prepare to take on the hosts in Mumbai.

England will face a tough challenge against India, who are the favourites to win on home soil. The match will be played in front of a 35,000-strong crowd, making it a daunting task for the English team. A win would secure England's place in the final against either South Africa or New Zealand.

“It's an experience as a young cricketer you dream of - playing India in the semi-final of a World Cup,” left-arm seamer Curran told reporters.

The atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to be electric, with the noise levels reaching deafening heights. But England's Sam Curran is unfazed, saying his experience playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Mumbai Indians - alongside teammates like Will Jacks - has prepared him for the intense environment.

Curran's confidence stems from his familiarity with the stadium and the high-energy crowds that come with playing in the IPL. He's expecting a challenging but exciting match, and believes his experience will help him navigate the intense atmosphere. 

“India are a quality side but we've played a lot of cricket here. We know how to play on these grounds and we know what to expect,” he said.

“The IPL, no question, has helped a lot. Having played in the ground many times, there aren't many unknowns.”

Curran's remarkable turnaround story continues. He was out of the international scene a year ago, but his standout performances in T20 leagues like the IPL have earned him a spot back in the England squad. His experience playing alongside top players in these leagues has likely given him the confidence and skills to take on India in the semi-finals. 

England knows what to expect from the Wankhede crowd, having faced a hostile atmosphere when they beat Nepal in a thrilling match earlier in the tournament. Sam Curran was the hero, bowling a composed final over and conceding just five runs when Nepal needed 10.

Curran's form has been impressive - he's been solid with the bat, scoring 149 runs at number six, and has crucially contributed with the ball, including a standout performance against Italy. His experience and clutch performances will be vital against India. 

“We're not fearing anything and I'm sure both teams are really excited by the challenge,” Curran said, adding England could judge how well they were playing by the volume of the fans.

“If the crowd are silent, England are probably going to be doing well. That's our positive way of looking at it,” said Curran.

This is a fascinating trend! For the third consecutive T20 World Cup, England and India are facing off in the semi-finals, and the winner of their previous two encounters went on to claim the championship title. In 2022, England dominated India with a 10-wicket win in Adelaide, paving the way for their ultimate triumph over Pakistan in the Melbourne final.

India, however, reversed the script in 2024, beating England by 68 runs in the semi-final and eventually lifting the trophy after defeating South Africa in the final. With the teams tied 1-1 in their semi-final meetings, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is set to host a thrilling decider.

World Cup semi-final 🏆

Against India in Mumbai 🏏

At the Wankhede 🏟

A MASSIVE match awaits... pic.twitter.com/VGFTHMInoH

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 1, 2026

India's semi-final winning streak continues. Two years ago, they crushed England by 68 runs in Guyana, then went on to beat South Africa in the final in Barbados. Now, they're looking to repeat the feat against England in Mumbai.

Read Also: T20 World Cup Semi-Finals: South Africa Faces New Zealand in Crucial Matchup

Meanwhile, South Africa takes on New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday, with the winner facing either England or India in the Ahmedabad final on Sunday. 

“I guess this is what the last four or five weeks have been building for,” said Curran.

“And hopefully we can take one more step towards the final.”