In the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, the Indian squad, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is set to clash with the West Indies on March 1st (Sunday). At the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the victorious team will continue its journey to the semi-finals, while the losing team will exit the tournament. India is favored to win, thanks to its solid batting and bowling lineup.
The Indian team began its Super-8 campaign with a loss against South Africa but regained its confidence after a stunning win over Zimbabwe. Securing a victory against the West Indies could lead to a semi-final face-off with England, who topped Group-2 by winning all three of their matches.
Should India triumph over the West Indies, they'll clinch at least second place in Group-1 with 4 points. South Africa is expected to maintain the first position since they already have 4 points and a superior net run rate compared to India and the West Indies. South Africa's final Super-8 match is against Zimbabwe on March 1st, where they are predicted to win.
Source: aajtak
The top team from Group-1 will face the second-ranking team from Group-2 in the semi-finals, while the second in Group-1 will compete against the top of Group-2. On March 4th, the first semi-final might pit South Africa against New Zealand or Pakistan. Meanwhile, the second semi-final on March 5th at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium may see England square off against India or the West Indies. The chances of an India-Pakistan semi-final showdown appear slim.
In the T20 World Cup 2024, India triumphed over England by 68 runs in the semi-finals; however, this time, a sharper contest is on the horizon. England excelled in the Super-8 stage: successfully defending a low score against Sri Lanka, defeating Pakistan with captain Harry Brook’s stellar century, and overcoming a strong New Zealand side.
England boasts a formidable batting lineup with players like Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, and Will Jacks. Nonetheless, India's bowling strengths may prove to be the deciding factor. The last T20 International between India and England at Wankhede Stadium witnessed Abhishek Sharma demolishing England's attack with 135 runs off just 54 balls.
