India and England are set to square off in the second semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday (March 5).

Ahead of the knockout fixture, former England pacer Stuart Broad has warned the Harry Brook-led side about one of India’s biggest strengths -- Hardik Pandya.

Speaking on For the Love of Cricket podcast, Broad showered rich praise on Hardik, highlighting the Indian all-rounder’s ability to turn a strong platform into a match-winning total.

“If I am a England bowler, I think I need to get him in after 12 overs so I can bowl when he’s not in the hitting zone straightaway. He might think I would like to look at a few before going at the end. I would see that as my chance to get him out before he can hurt me in the last four overs. If India are just three or four down entering the death overs, that’s where India get over 200, and you are in a bit of trouble,” Broad said.

He then went on to speak about the ‘confidence’ and ‘aura’ Hardik Pandya carries. “If India sets up a good first ten overs, Hardik Pandya becomes a huge danger. When he walks in, he’s extremely confident. He has got an aura about him and an ego on him in a positive way. He just believes he can do the job. He is so wiry and slim that you think how he can hit the ball 100 metres like he does. But he does it so effortlessly,” Broad added.

This will be the third consecutive semifinal clash between two teams at the T20 World Cup. While England defeated India by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval in the 2022 edition, the Men in Blue emerged victorious by 78 runs two years later in Guyana.

England have endured their fair share of ups and downs in the ongoing T20 World Cup, including a nervy four-run win over minnows Nepal and defeat against the West Indies in group stage. Defending champions India too looked shaky in some of the Group A matches, before losing to South Africa in the Super 8s.

The winners of the second semifinal will face New Zealand in the title clash, scheduled for Sunday (March 8) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.