Mumbai, India — March 5, 2026
The second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 will be played on March 5 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, where India and England will face each other for a place in the final.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 6:30 PM IST.
The encounter carries historic significance, as the winning team will reach the T20 World Cup final for the fourth time, the most by any team in the tournament’s history.
Earlier, New Zealand secured a spot in the final after defeating South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final.
Teams With Most T20 World Cup Final Appearances
Currently, four teams share the record for the most appearances in the T20 World Cup final.
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India: 3 (2007, 2014, 2024)
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England: 3 (2010, 2016, 2022)
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Pakistan: 3 (2007, 2009, 2022)
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Sri Lanka: 3 (2009, 2012, 2014)
Other teams include:
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New Zealand: 2 (2021, 2026*)
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West Indies: 2 (2012, 2016)
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Australia: 2 (2010, 2021)
Wankhede Stadium: A Paradise for Batters
The Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, established in 1974, is widely known as one of the highest-scoring venues in international cricket.
The stadium has a seating capacity of around 32,000 spectators.
Key milestones at the venue include:
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First Test match: 1975
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First ODI: 1987
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First T20 International: 2012
The ground is famous for its flat batting-friendly pitch and relatively short boundaries, making it ideal for high-scoring matches.
Pitch Report: Expect a Run-Fest
The Wankhede pitch typically favors batters, especially as the match progresses.
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Fast bowlers may get some early swing with the new ball.
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As the game progresses, batting becomes easier due to the flat surface and good bounce.
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Short boundaries make the venue ideal for power hitters.
Because of these conditions, scores above 200 are often seen at this ground.
Players such as India captain Suryakumar Yadav and England captain Harry Brook, known for their aggressive batting styles, could have a major impact.
Suryakumar and Hardik Pandya are particularly familiar with the conditions as Wankhede serves as a regular venue in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Night matches here may also be influenced by dew, which often encourages teams winning the toss to choose to bowl first.
How Important Is the Toss?
In T20 cricket, the toss can sometimes influence the outcome.
However, statistics from 16 T20 internationals at Wankhede show balanced results:
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Teams batting first have won 8 matches.
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Teams chasing have also won 8 matches.
This suggests that while dew may influence decisions, the toss has not been a decisive factor historically.
Major Records at Wankhede Stadium
The venue has produced several high-scoring matches.
Key records include:
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Highest total: 254/6 – West Indies vs Zimbabwe (2026)
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India’s highest score: 247/9 vs England; 240/3 vs West Indies
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England’s highest score: 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)
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Highest successful chase: 230/8 vs South Africa (2016)
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Lowest total successfully defended: 161/8 – India vs USA (2026)
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Lowest total: 97/10 – England vs India (2025)
India vs England: Head-to-Head Record
India and England have had several memorable encounters in T20 cricket.
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Total T20 matches played: 29
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India wins: 17
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England wins: 12
In the T20 World Cup, the teams have faced each other five times:
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India: 3 wins
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England: 2 wins
At Wankhede, both teams have met twice, with each side winning once.
Memorable Matches at Wankhede
2012:
England chased 178 on the final ball, with captain Eoin Morgan hitting the winning six.
2025:
India recorded a dominant 150-run victory, with Abhishek Sharma scoring a century.
ICC Knockout History: India vs England
The two teams have met several times in ICC knockout matches.
| Tournament | Winner | Margin | Year | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI World Cup | India | 6 wickets | 1983 | Manchester |
| ODI World Cup | England | 35 runs | 1987 | Mumbai |
| Champions Trophy | India | 5 runs | 2013 | Birmingham |
| T20 World Cup | England | 10 wickets | 2022 | Adelaide |
| T20 World Cup | India | 68 runs | 2024 | Providence |
Possible Playing XI
India
Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy
England
Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Weather Forecast
Weather conditions in Mumbai are expected to remain clear on match day.
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Temperature: 27°C – 37°C
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Humidity: Around 60%
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Rain probability: Very low
These conditions are considered favorable for cricket.
Who Has the Edge?
On paper, India may hold a slight advantage because several players are familiar with the conditions at Wankhede.
Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh could make an early impact with the new ball. However, England’s aggressive batting lineup is capable of chasing down large totals.
With strong batting and bowling options on both sides, the semi-final promises to be a highly competitive and entertaining contest.
