Ahead of the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024 between India and England in Guyana on June 27, former England cricketers Paul Collingwood, Michael Atherton, and Nasser Hussain picked their favorites to win the match.
This will be the second time in two T20 World Cup editions that India and England will clash in the knockout match. England had decimated India by 10 wickets the last time in the 2022 edition in Adelaide.
While admitting England's capacity to up their game in the knockout stages, Paul Collingwood has identified numerous elements that put India in a strong position to win, including Jasprit Bumrah's excellent form.
"Honestly, I can't see India losing this time. England will need something extraordinary to beat them. India, with their well-rounded squad, stands out particularly for Jasprit Bumrah's current form. He's fit, accurate, fast, and highly skilled. No team seems to have an answer for him," Collingwood said on Star Sports Press Room.
"In a 120-ball game, having someone like Bumrah with his pace for 24 balls makes a huge difference. India has looked confident even in tough situations and on difficult pitches in America. Their batters, like Rohit Sharma who played a magnificent innings against Australia, seem to be back in form," he added.
Collingwood also spoke about the pitch in Guyana which is known for assisting spinners, which will play a huge role in the outcome of the match.
"The match-up will be magnificent, with both sides adopting an ultra-aggressive approach. The surface in Guyana will be crucial. On a flat pitch, England has the upper hand with their ability to overpower teams. However, a slow, turning pitch would favor India," Collingwood said.
It was under Paul Collingwood that England won their maiden ICC title in 2010, the T20 World Cup, which was held in the West Indies. The former all-rounder also reflected on the strategic evolution of the Indian team, moving away from a conservative approach that was evident in their 2021 campaign.
"But India's approach has changed. They understand that this strategy won't win World Cups. They need to take risks, be brave, and express themselves freely. This new mentality might be criticized if it fails, but to win World Cups, you need to be ahead of the curve and adapt to what other teams are doing globally," Collingwood remarked.
However, it was not all gloomy for England, as it found backers in former captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton.
Nasser Hussain predicted a repeat of the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final outcome when England beat India by 10 wickets in a one-sided contest. Hussain also backed South Africa to script an eighth-straight win and defeated Afghanistan in the first semi-final on June 26.
“I'm going to go with South Africa and England. It is just that England will go in with the memory of that semifinal in Adelaide. As I said, this is a repeat. And I don't think this England side fears India unless it is a very dry slow pitch. The only thing I will say about this England batting line-up, and I know Buttler and Salt just whacked the USA when it is just holding a little bit, and the pitch is a bit slow, their batting looks vulnerable and that would play massively in India's hand. when it is just holding a little bit, and the pitch is a bit slow, their batting looks vulnerable,” Hussain said.
Michael Atherton agreed with Hussain and picked England to win their semi-final against India.
He said: “Nasser thinks India is not good enough. And I think England are going to beat India in Guyana and South Africa will be too good for Afghanistan so it will be a South Africa versus England final.”
Both India and England will hope to enter the final and win their second T20 World Cup title.
(PTI inputs)
