New Delhi - Former all-rounder Paul Collingwood believes that England will need an extraordinary performance to defeat a strong Indian team in the upcoming T20 World Cup semifinal. Collingwood suggests that the 'Men in Blue' are unlikely to lose this highly anticipated match against the defending champions.
India and England will face off on Thursday in a rematch of the 2021 semifinal in Adelaide, where Jos Buttler's team secured a convincing 10-wicket victory. Collingwood, speaking at the Star Sports Press Room, expressed his doubts about England's chances, stating that he can't envision India losing this time around and that England would need something exceptional to overcome them.
Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional form has made it difficult for teams, including former champions Australia and Pakistan, to score against him. Collingwood believes that Bumrah's four overs will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game. He noted that India’s squad is well-rounded, and Bumrah’s fitness, accuracy, speed, and skill make a significant impact in a 120-ball game. India has maintained confidence even in challenging situations and on difficult pitches in America, with their batsmen, like Rohit Sharma, showing strong performances.
The pitch in Guyana has historically favoured bowlers, slowing down as the game progresses. Spinners have dominated at this venue, and while pacers get some early assistance, teams have managed to score between 170-180 runs in the ongoing World Cup. Collingwood pointed out that the match-up between India and England will be spectacular, with both teams adopting aggressive strategies. He mentioned that England might have an advantage on a flat pitch due to their power-hitting capabilities, but a slow, turning pitch would favour India.
Collingwood also noted that India has moved on from the conservative approach that led to their downfall in the 2021 edition. He explained that the previous strategy was to attack India aggressively from the start, but India has adapted by becoming more aggressive and taking risks, understanding that this approach is necessary to win World Cups. This new mentality, while potentially risky, is essential for staying ahead of global trends in cricket.
England was close to being knocked out of the group stage but has since demonstrated strong performance. Collingwood highlighted England’s ability to elevate their game during knockout stages, recalling the Adelaide match where India set a target. He accentuated that England now plays a more aggressive style, especially at the top order, making their upcoming match against India even more formidable.