India vs England in the T20 World Cup semi-final is going to be a mouth-watering contest. These are two very good sides who know each other really well. There is a nice contrast between the two sides in the way they have approached the semi-finals. India have been quite rigid with their game plan because it has worked for them so far in the tournament. Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens the bowling with Arshdeep Singh and then Mohammed Shami comes as first change. Hardik Pandya gets a go next before spinners chip in with their overs. Similarly, their batting lineup has not really changed except for last match when Rishabh Pant came in, a change that I quite liked. That’s a plus for them. I have been pushing for that. I feel Pant is a match -winner and that is a really good move going into potentially two big games. We will come back to him a little later again.

England, on the other hand, have done it slightly differently. They open sometimes with spin of Moeen Ali, the next match they do it with Ben Stokes and then they go back to Chris Woakes, using Mark Wood in the middle. Sometimes they go for just an over from a bowler, like Liam Livingstone bowling one and never coming back again. They have been a bit more unpredictable. They are happy to be more flexible in both their bowling and batting. I like how England have been trying to play the game situation. They have done that better in the last couple of matches than at the start of the tournament.

India are in complete contrast. They have a batting lineup that stays the same. KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma at the top followed by chase master Virat Kohli and his apprentice Suryakumar Yadav at No 4, who has taken the game to a new level.

India should look to play Pant and Chahal

I have been hugely impressed with Arshdeep Singh. The left arm option has been working well. The youngster has really taken a liking to the big stage. Bhuvneshwar has been outstanding with the control he has shown with the ball. Bhuvi against Buttler would be a fascinating matchup. In IPL this year at the start, Bhuvi caused real problems for Buttler. And that battle will be there for all to see again.

Kohli’s runs are crucial. We have debated in the past on his batting position and whether he should be in the side with his lack of form. For me, it was always a given that he bats at No 3 and he has not let down his side at all in this tournament. He has been brilliant as we expect him to be. If he has batted like a true master, Surya at 4 is his clear apprentice. Surya and Butler are two
players who can hit 360. That really makes them very difficult to bowl to. Surya has been phenomenal so far and it will be exciting to watch him go against the pace of England. India’s top order has made runs and it looks very assured.

However, they should bring one change. As I mentioned earlier, I like the left-handed option of Pant in the middle order and I hope India play him again. Indian top order is right-handed batting heavy. Pant could be crucial with some spin in the middle overs. He is a world class player and I hope, for India’s sake, that they stick with him.

I would also like to see Yuzvendra Chahal play this big match. I say that because I feel h e is a genuine wicket taker and a good option especially against England. I quite like from India’s perspective, some mystery spin in the middle overs. That’s what Rashid provides for England. I would make that change and bring in Chahal either for Axar Patel or R Ashwin. Not easy for him
or Pant to come straight into playing XI when you have been on the sidelines for a long time. But these are experienced players and don’t think that should be a big problem. Hardik Pandya is crucial. With the overs that he bowls, he balances the side beautifully.

India are a confident side at the moment. When you see that there is no Jasprit Bumrah or Ravindra Jadeja and that Harshal Patel has taken no part in the competition so far. That really says a lot about India’s depth.

England inadvertently have prepared themselves for knock out matches

England have played knockout matches for the last 2 or 3 games in the Super 12 stage itself. They messed up against Ireland and then they had to win their remaining matches to qualify. They were must-win games. When you come to knock out matches having played many already, you are kind of prepared for the pressure of these matches. I feel that is a slight advantage for
England heading into the semis. They have been mentally in a position where it is their last match.

I fully expect them to cover injured Dawid Malan with Salt. I would like to see him bat at No 3 if they lose an early wicket. If they don’t lose an early wicket, you might want Stokes to come in at 3. I hope England don’t think they need another bowling option. They have got enough bowling with 7 options at their disposal. They’ll look better with an extra batter in there.

Wood is a bit of doubt as I write this. This is a huge moment in the buildup in this game because I see him as an X-factor for England. He is the point of difference between the two sides. England have a bowler who can go 90+ mph, India don’t. I think in this format if you can have a really good leg-spinner as England has in Rashid and someone who can bowl at 90 mph, that’s a
recipe for success with the ball. Let’s hope from an England perspective that Wood is fit. It is very important to take wickets in T20s and with Wood and Rashid in those middle overs, it is a great cocktail for picking up wickets and breaking partnerships. Those two will be key for England.

As far as batting is concerned, Buttler is back among runs. Stokes got runs in the last match and can’t be underestimated because he is the big match player. England needed him to hold his nerves in the last game.

That will give him confidence moving into another big game. Both these sides have a lot of knowledge of each other because they have played a lot in international cricket and IPL. The one player, however, India may not know much about is Harry Brook. He is a very good player and someone who he is in the same mould as Suryakumar. He too can play 360 game. I hope he has a big game; he is the one for the future.

I feel that this semi-final will be about the big match players in both the teams. That is what these games come down to. Who holds the nerves better when the pressure is rising, who can bowl the spell when the captain really needs a wicket, who can get 15 or 20 off an over to get the side back in the game. That’s what these games are really about. Hope this semi-final delivers what
this World Cup has delivered so far. A spectacular game of cricket.