Familiarity and firepower keep India firmly in the hunt as the Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals beckon, says Sunil Gavaskar
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak
Sunil Gavaskar has called it as he sees it — form favours South Africa and England, but familiarity and firepower keep India firmly in the hunt as the Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals beckon.
South Africa meet New Zealand in Kolkata on Wednesday (March 4, 2026), while defending champion India face an in-form England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday (March 5, 2026). South Africa are the only unbeaten side in the tournament; England arrive with a clean slate in the Super Eights. India and New Zealand have dropped a game each.
“If you look at the form going into the semis, South Africa and England have won all their matches in the Super Eight. India have lost one and New Zealand have lost one. So you would say those two teams would be favourites to get to the finals,” Gavaskar said at a media interaction ahead of the DP World Celebrity Golf Event, to be held here on March 6, to create awareness on the CHAMPS Foundation.
The foundation supports retired international sportspersons in India across disciplines who struggle to make ends meet in latter years. Despite the current form, Gavaskar expects little to separate India and England. “It’s going to be another cracker, like the (virtual) quarterfinal against the West Indies. Both sides are very well matched. They have got batting, bowling, middle order, finishers. Both have variety and plenty of T20 experience.”
He also pointed to England’s IPL-hardened core. “A few of their players have played in the IPL. They’re familiar with Indian conditions and the pressure that comes with big crowds.”
As for India’s patchy semifinal record at the Wankhede, Gavaskar dismissed historical baggage. “It’s a new era, a new team. I believe India has the capability to go all the way to the final in Ahmedabad.”
On England’s potential X-factor, Will Jacks, who has won an astonishing four player of the match awards riding on his all round show, Gavaskar offered a note of caution. “If there is a little bit of a turn, he could be a handful. How (Sanju) Samson, Suryakumar Yadav or Hardik Pandya handle him will be key. He is on a roll. To have someone like him at No. 7 is a real plus — just like Shivam Dube was for India the other day.”
In Gavaskar’s reading, it may well come down to the 40th over — and who holds its nerve when it does.
Published – March 03, 2026 10:15 am IST
