India are all set to take on England in the 2nd Semi-Final on June 27 at the Providence Stadium, in Guyana . Considering their recent form, India are slight favourites against England while the English will fancy their chances as well. Ahead of this mouth-watering contest, let’s have a look at India’s predicted XI against England.
Predicted XI
Rohit Sharma (c)
Skipper Rohit Sharma is currently the highest run-scorer for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The explosive top-order batter has smashed 191 runs in six innings so far this season at an impressive strike rate of 159.16.
Furthermore, Rohit has had a decent record against England in T20 internationals. He has amassed 410 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 138.98 against the Englishmen and would like to add more to that tally on Thursday.
Virat Kohli
Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, has been through a lean patch in the ongoing tournament. He has scored 66 runs in six innings in the 2024 T20 World Cup and will be hoping to find top gear in the all-important knockout matches that are upcoming.
He has normally had an upper hand batting against England. Kohli has smashed 639 runs in 20 innings against them averaging at 39.93 and a strike rate of 135.66. Additionally, he has played a T20I at the Providence Stadium, scoring a 45-ball 59 and would be raring to go big in the Semi-Final game.
Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper)
Swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant, has been a bright spark in this edition of the World Cup with 167 runs in six matches at a strike rate of 132.53. Surprisingly, Pant is yet to score a fifty in this tournament.
Coming back from a year-long injury, Pant had a 446-run IPL 2024 campaign for Delhi Capitals, which made him the first-choice wicketkeeper in India’s starting XI for the T20 World Cup 2024.
The southpaw is currently performing well at No.3 and could be an X-factor against England.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav is also enjoying decent form with the bat as the hard hitter has scored 149 runs in six innings so far at a strike rate of 139.25.
After back-to-back fifties against the USA and Afghanistan, respectively, Suryakumar played an important 31-run cameo against Australia, which kept the run rate healthy for India.
The No.1 T20I batter in the world has smashed 274 runs against England in six innings at a strike rate of 191.60 and will be looking forward to scoring big against them.
Shivam Dube
“If the pitch suits spinners, Dube will be a weapon,” former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said ahead of the England clash. “He can change the game with just two or three big hits,” he added.
Shivam Dube’s ability to play spin coupled with his IPL 2024 campaign, where he smashed 396 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 162.29 is what has seen him in the playing XI for India.
The hard-hitting all-rounder struggled in the USA leg of the tournament but has managed to score 106 runs in six matches. He could prove effective against England’s spinners on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya
After all the chaos around his IPL 2024 stint with Mumbai Indians, Hardik Pandya has enjoyed a solid T20 World Cup with bat and ball.
The star all-rounder has made a strong comeback, scoring 116 runs in four innings at an impressive strike rate of 145 and picking eight wickets with the ball. His presence will truly play a vital role in India’s starting XI against England.
Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja’s poor form in the T20 World Cup could be one of the biggest concerns for India’s think tank ahead of the semi-final. However, his all-round capabilities, fielding ability and vast experience on the international circuit cannot be overlooked.
The southpaw has only managed 16 runs in three innings and taken one scalp in the tournament so far. Needless to say, Jadeja will be looking to produce a top-quality display against England.
Axar Patel
Bowling all-rounder Axar Patel’s contributions to India’s success have been crucial in the T20 World Cup, scoring 35 runs in three innings and picking up five wickets.
Axar also had a decent IPL 2024 campaign, taking 11 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.65 for Delhi Capitals. The left-arm spinner alongside Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja could be lethal against English batters.
Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav has carried his IPL 2024 success to the T20 World Cup by picking up seven wickets in just three matches. Additionally, with 66 wickets in 38 T20Is, Kuldeep has become an integral part of India’s spin-bowling unit of late.
He scalped the crucial wickets of Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell in his last appearance against Australia in the tournament and can be expected to be amongst the wickets again when he takes on England.
Jasprit Bumrah
India pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, has been on a dream run with the ball ever since he returned from his injury. He was ultimately at his best in the IPL 2024 as well, picking up 20 wickets for Mumbai Indians.
With an excellent economy rate of 4.08 and taking 11 scalps in six matches, Bumrah is currently enjoying his best T20 World Cup campaign. He has also led India’s pace battery in this tournament and is likely to be among the wickets when he faces England batters in Guyana.
Arshdeep Singh
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has been the regular source of wickets for India, especially in the early and closing stages of an innings.
With an economy of 7.41 and 15 wickets, Arshdeep is currently one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament and will be a player to watch out for against England.
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