England are experiencing a case of T20 World Cup déjà vu.
Back in 2022, they stuttered initially – losing to Ireland – before picking up form, facing India in the semi-finals and going on to win the competition.
Now, in 2026, they stuttered initially – losing to West Indies – before picking up form, facing India in the semi-finals and…
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Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali is backing Jos Buttler to rediscover his best form after averaging less than nine at the T20 World Cup so far
Well, that’s where the similarities stop for now as England still need to beat India – in Mumbai on Thursday (1.30pm first ball, live on Sky Sports) – before dreaming of going on to win the competition.
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton feels Harry Brook’s side are capable of defeating Suryakumar Yadav’s host nation but says they will need to be at their peak to do so.
That includes opening pair Jos Buttler and Phil Salt firing for the first time in tandem in the tournament, with the duo’s best stand so far across games against Nepal, West Indies, Scotland, Italy, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand a meagre 38.
Last time out they added two. The game before that no runs whatsoever, with Buttler’s form particularly alarming.
Buttler’s scores during a chastening T20 World Cup campaign
Yet, England have still been able to fashion wins. Against Pakistan, that was chiefly through captain Harry Brook’s 50-ball hundred. Versus New Zealand, it was principally down to another vital knock from Will Jacks at No 7, assisted by Rehan Ahmed.
Atherton told the Sky Cricket Podcast: “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 have really got going.
“They will take confidence from winning without that main bit of their team functioning and they are getting better. However, I don’t think they have been on their game.
“I have been asking myself whether this tournament will equate to 2022 where come the absolute crunch they got better and better.”
England’s Buttler (left) and Alex Hales (right) celebrate victory over India in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final in Adelaide
Atherton: India are not impregnable
Four years ago, England, to use Athers’ words “wiped the floor with India”, cantering to a 10-wicket win in Adelaide after reaching a target of 169 with four overs to spare.
Buttler and then opening partner Alex Hales each clubbed unbeaten half-centuries as India’s wait for a first global white-ball title since the 2013 Champions Trophy extended.
Since then, though, India have won two: the 2024 T20 World Cup when they breezed past England in the semi-finals and then the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Having gone unbeaten in those tournaments, many predicted that they would ease to this year’s T20 World Cup title.
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Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 97 as India beat West Indies by five wickets to set up a T20 World Cup semi-final with England
But they were soundly thumped by a power-packed South Africa in the Super 8s and their fielding has not been all that sharp with 13 catches going down. Factors that will give England hope.
Athers added: “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.
“But I don’t think they are unbeatable. Issues like fielding, bowling if you get after one or two of their main five – they are lacking a spare option in that department.
“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.”
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India batter Abhishek Sharma’s run of three ducks in a row at the T20 World Cup included a blob against Pakistan on February 15
Former India international Dinesh Karthik also expects his nation and South Africa – who face New Zealand in the first semi-final in Kolkata on Wednesday (1.30pm UK, also live on Sky Sports) – to contest Sunday’s showpiece in Ahmedabad.
Yet he accepts that India are vulnerable with opening batter Abhishek Sharma only managing one fifty in six innings at this World Cup (he began his tournament with three successive ducks).
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy has been expensive in recent games after an excellent start to the tournament.
Karthik added: “Walking into the World Cup there were three players India could not afford to drop form in Jasprit Bumrah, Chakravarthy and, obviously, Abhishek – the impact he has had in the last two years has been phenomenal.
“Two out of three have not had a great World Cup which is why you feel this India side is a touch vulnerable.”
Watch England vs India in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm on Thursday (1.30pm first ball).
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England captain Harry Brook gives Sky Sports Cricket’s Ian Ward an insight into how he leads
England’s T20 World Cup results and fixtures
Round one
Super 8s
Semi-finals
vs India (Mumbai) – Thursday March 5 (1.30pm)
