India will be facing England in the all-important semi-final clash on Thursday, March 5, at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. The match is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST. The Men in Blue are coming with high confidence after their 5 wickets win against the West Indies in a virtual quarter-final.

On the other hand, England taken a rise since the Super 8 stages as they will feature in this match after an unbeaten run of three matches. This will be the third consecutive meeting between the two sides in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. The head-to-head is evenly poised with one win for both sides in the last two games.

India is yet to win against England

India National Cricket Team won by 68 runs in the semi-final. England won back in 2022 by 10 wickets. However, this is the first time that these two sides will meet in a T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium.

Your daily dose of cricket!

India’s Wankhede record at the ODI World Cup

Previously, these two sides have only once met in a World Cup back in 1987, during the Reliance World Cup semi-final. India lost the match by 35 runs while chasing a target of 255 runs. After almost four decades, the two teams are yet again face to face in a World Cup semi-final, however, in a different format.

India’s World Cup semi-final record still haunts them

Suryakumar Yadav’s side would be hopeful that they come out on top against the Three Lions, as they do not have a good record at this very venue. They have not won a single knockout game in the World Cup at Wankhede Stadium.

The last time the Men in Blue played a T20 World Cup semi-final was back in 2016 against the West Indies. The Men in Blue lost by 7 wickets despite scoring 196 in their 20 overs. However, they would want to change their fate and win the game and qualify for the finals.

India’s Wankhede record at the T20 World Cup

India’s last World Cup match at this venue was back in 2023, as they defeated New Zealand in the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final by 70 runs. So far, both India and England have lost one game at this tournament. Suryakumar Yadav’s side would look to break the Wankhede curse in the World Cup knockout format.

Sanju Samson key to India’s success

Since the inclusion of Sanju Samson, India has been performing well. The wicket-keeper batter has found his form just at the right time, scoring a match-winning 97* off 50 balls against the West Indies, and helped his team chase down the target of 196 with four balls to spare.

On the other hand, the two England openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt have been quiet. The former has been struggling to get runs, and this could be the match against India where Buttler can show his class and get his team over the line.

Toss won’t be a key factor as there will not be much dew in the latter part of the innings. Both captains would want to win the toss and bat first in a high-pressure game like a semi-final.

Also Read: Pink-ball Ashes Tests officially dead! England and Australia strike major deal

You don’t have permission to access “http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/white-house-says-trump-using-preventative-skin-treatment-for-neck-rash-11169859” on this server.

Reference #18.34a21ab8.1772668258.b1389df

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.34a21ab8.1772668258.b1389df

India’s Abhishek Sharma drops the catch of West Indies’ Roston Chase (ANI Photo)

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has flagged India’s slipping standards in the field as a major worry ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.Despite an impressive run to the last four, India’s catching has been far from convincing. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the side has shelled 13 catches in the tournament so far, with their catching efficiency dipping to a competition-low 72.7 per cent. In contrast, Pakistan, long criticised for their work in the field, have managed a significantly better success rate of 83.3 per cent.“One concern I feel is the fielding and not just the way India fielded in the game at Eden Gardens. It has been happening for almost a year and a half. We are dropping quite a few catches. That is something India would definitely like to work on,” Patel told Jio Hotstar.India sealed their semifinal place with a gritty victory over the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, successfully overhauling a target above 190. Patel termed the result a huge boost for the side.“It was an outstanding win. It will be a great confidence booster for India going forward. India won the toss and decided to bowl first, thinking there would be a lot of dew. When the game finished, there was no dew at all, but the conditions did get slightly better. In a knockout game, chasing in excess of 190, someone needed to play an outstanding knock, and Sanju Samson did that,” Parthiv said.“The Captain took his hat off. He has scored a lot of hundreds in international cricket, but to me, this innings was right up there. Skill-wise, we all know that Sanju Samson is a very talented batter, but fighting those mental battles is very difficult. I thought Sanju Samson did that really well. He also spoke about how his experience came into the fold. I thought it was a very mature innings. He always looked in control. He did not try to hit the ball hard. He will remember this innings for a long time,” he added.Patel also singled out pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for special praise, highlighting his knack for breaking key partnerships.“Bumrah is not a banker. He is the bank. The way he comes out and bowls, when you want to take a wicket against an in-form Hetmyer, he comes in and takes his wicket, then gets a set Roston Chase. Obviously, India has looked up to Jasprit Bumrah most of the time, and he has never disappointed. That is what he does most often. You are playing in a format right now, in this era, where the only way you can stop a batter is by getting him out, and Jasprit Bumrah does that.”Looking ahead to the clash with England, Patel stressed the importance of early breakthroughs against a dangerous batting unit.“India obviously need to get England’s dangerous batters out as quickly as possible. You have Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, who is due for runs and likes the Wankhede Stadium. Then you have Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook. So, they have a good, solid line-up. It is a good all-round team. Obviously, against England, India will have to be at the top of their game,” he concluded.

Daryl Mitchell (Special Arrangement)

NEW DELHI: If Daryl Mitchell wasn’t representing the Black Caps, he might very well have been playing for the All Blacks. Instead of sending bowlers on leather hunts with his brutal hitting or executing sweeps and reverse sweeps against spinners, the experienced cricketer could have been taking on the role of a forward or back in rugby.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The son of renowned rugby player and current England women’s rugby team coach John Mitchell, Daryl’s journey into cricket began almost by accident — but he quickly fell in love with the gentleman’s game.

John Mitchell never pressured his son, always encouraging Daryl to pursue whatever he loved. Having already made his mark in the rugby world, John played for the All Blacks, including the 1993 tour of Britain, where he featured in six uncapped matches, captained the side three times, and led his team to victories on each occasion.After his playing career, John went on to coach the All Blacks, as well as teams in England, the USA, Japan, and beyond.Inspired by his father’s sporting achievements, Daryl initially started out in rugby but was soon drawn to cricket. Today, he has carved out a significant place for himself in New Zealand cricket, establishing a legacy in the sport just as his father did in rugby.

“Daryl was obviously brought up around rugby because I played and coached it. As a youngster, he tried both rugby and football. Later, a development officer from Northern Districts approached me and asked if he could try turning my son into a batsman. I agreed. We even created backyard games — for example, a 12-ball challenge where he had to score 15 runs, with six balls bowled fast and six slow, and consequences for hitting sixes over the fence. Over time, Daryl embraced every challenge, loved the sport, and had fun. I never imagined these games would prepare him for where he is today. What he’s achieved is entirely the result of his own development and mindset,” John Mitchell told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.“Before he played for school sides, Waikato under-15, and even Australian Country Schools, he made the first XV at Hale College in Perth. But he simply loved cricket more. He enjoyed rugby, yet he realised he might not have the speed to play at the highest level. Cricket offered him more opportunities and the individual challenges he thrives on. He has always taken his own decisions in his career—and, in fact, made the right ones!” the proud father added with a laugh.

‘DAD, I WANT TO BE A CRICKETER’John had been keeping a close eye on his son’s progress and noticed the natural inclination the right-hander had towards cricket.He patiently waited for the moment when Daryl would come to him and share his aspirations — and that day arrived sooner than expected.One fine day, a 15-year-old Daryl walked up and said, “Dad, I want to be a cricketer.”John smiled and embraced his son. Though he had dominated the rugby world, he understood how cricket had found its way into Daryl’s life — thanks in large part to Daryl’s grandfather, John’s own father.“We’ve always supported our children’s choices. I never wanted to be a dominant parent or interfere as a coach. I let him set his own goals, and whatever he chose, we were 100% behind him. That independence has likely played a big part in shaping the player he is today,” John Mitchell said.

“A development officer first approached us about shaping him as a batsman. Later, another Northern Districts coach, Pat, also guided him. But the greatest influence was his late grandfather, who drove him to cricket, supported him, and filled in whenever I was away,” he added.Does Daryl’s rugby background help him on the cricket field?“I’m not sure it directly helped, but in many ways, yes,” John said.“The foundations he observed — the preparation and mindset of world-class players—likely influenced him. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it comes through learning from wins and losses. Experiencing that early allowed him to master his craft. Physically, he’s a big guy, which helps, but more importantly, it’s his hard work and attitude that stand out,” he added.

DARYL – THE MAN WHO HANDLES FAILURE WELL, ENJOY SUCCESSDaryl donned the international jersey for the first time in 2019, at the age of 27, against India in Wellington. That same year, he made his Test debut against England in Hamilton, scoring a magnificent 73 on debut. However, the right-hander had to wait two more years to earn his ODI cap, which finally came in 2021 against Bangladesh in Dunedin.Since then, Daryl has become a mainstay in the New Zealand cricket setup, featuring in 35 Tests, 59 ODIs, and 102 T20Is. He has grown into a dependable player, one whom his team can rely on whenever he is at the crease.Whether it’s hitting towering sixes, finding gaps, demolishing the required run rate, or changing the course of a game with sweeps and reverse sweeps against the best spinners, Daryl has evolved into a batter that opposing teams plan meticulously against before even stepping onto the field. His ability to adapt to any conditions and deliver under pressure has made him a crucial asset for the Black Caps.

“It’s always a proud moment whenever I see him play for his country and contribute to victories. He’s mature, understands his role, and handles setbacks well. Daryl can play innovative shots, like reverse sweeps, and excels against spinners. Watching him perform for New Zealand is truly rewarding.“The Black Caps have a small player base, but they achieve a lot. They have a good mix of youth and experience. Kane Williamson has set high standards, and Daryl, along with players like Santner, carries that forward. Playing in Asia now gives them exposure to varied conditions and builds confidence,” he said.“One of the biggest qualities in him is how he balances life. No matter what, he makes time for his family. He trains hard, then spends quality time with his daughters, wife Amy, and close friends. He’s also taken up golf and maintains a personal training setup at home. That routine suits his lifestyle and keeps him energised,” the father signed off.

File photo: US treasury secretary Scott Bessent

US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said that President Donald Trump‘s plan to increase a 10% universal tariff up to 15% will likely be done this week. “That’s likely sometime this week,” Bessent said on CNBC in response to a question about when the increase to 15% would be implemented.Trump last month put a 10% universal levy in place after the Supreme Court invalidated most of his previous tariff regime. Bessent noted the authority for the new duties only allows for the measure to last 150 days. During that time, he said that US trade authorities will be looking at using other legislation to resurrect the tariff regime that had been in place prior to the high court’s ruling.“It’s my strong belief that the tariff rates will back to their old rate within five months,” Bessent said. “They are very slow moving, but they are more robust,” he said of the so-called sections 301 and 232 tariffs that are planned to replace the invalidated IEEPA duties.

US stock futures erased gains after Bessent’s comment on the higher tariff. Contracts on the S& were down about 0.1% in New York after being up as much as 0.4% earlier in the session. The Treasury chief also played down the risk to the oil market from the US and Israeli war against Iran, saying that there’s ample global supply and that the Trump administration will be taking steps to support the sector.“I would encourage everyone to look through the noise and see where we are going on the other side of this in terms of the crude markets – the crude markets are very well supplied,” Bessent said. “There are hundreds of millions of barrels on the water away from the Gulf. But more importantly, we have a series of announcements that we’re going to be making.”He pointed to the previously announced plan for the US government to offer insurance for oil cargo ships when appropriate, and for the US Navy to provide safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent highlighted China’s vulnerability to any cutoff of oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, saying more than 50% of their energy comes from that region. “They’ve probably been buying 95% of the Iranian crude. That’s obviously on hold right now.” Asked about Trump’s comment on Tuesday suggesting a trade embargo with Spain, and whether the Treasury chief would be responsible for that, Bessent said, “It would be a combination effort.” He didn’t specifically comment on whether such a sanction will be enacted.EU hopes 10% levy will stayMeanwhile, European Union expects that the US won’t increase its tariff on the bloc to 15%. The EU received assurances according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Spokespeople for the US Trade Representative and the European Commission, which handles trade matters for the EU, declined to comment on the matter.

MUMBAI: The government’s decision to hold back cuts in retail petrol and diesel prices despite the earlier fall in global crude has given oil marketing companies (OMCs) room to cushion the impact of fresh spikes. According to a report by Nomura, this buffer means that a 10% rise in crude oil prices is likely to translate into only a 10 basis point increase in inflation and a similar impact on GDP growth.Theoretically, a 10% jump in global crude prices should add around 50 basis points to inflation if fully passed on to consumers – higher than the 30 basis points seen earlier. However, a full pass-through appears unlikely as OMCs are expected to absorb part of the increase through their margins. Since the US/Israel attacks on Iran, Brent crude has risen 16.8% while WTI crude has risen 14%.Beyond prices, a rising oil import bill poses risks to India’s macro stability. Typically, a 10% rise in crude widens the current account deficit by about 0.4% of GDP. Even so, the current account remains relatively well balanced and low by historical standards.

The bigger vulnerability lies in the capital account. A sharp fall in foreign investment flows amid global risk aversion has led to a sizeable balance of payments deficit. A combination of a wider current account gap and sustained foreign portfolio outflows could intensify pressure on the Indian rupee. As a twin-deficit economy, India’s equity markets are among the most vulnerable in Asia to prolonged supply disruptions. In the rates market, India and Korea are seen as the most negatively impacted.The Nomura report underlined that India’s heavy dependence on imported energy leaves it exposed to geopolitical shocks in the Middle East. The country imports over 85% of its oil needs, with nearly half of its crude shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In FY25, Persian Gulf nations – including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait – accounted for nearly 46% of India’s crude imports. On inflation, the report drew a distinction between theoretical sensitivity and practical pricing realities. “The RBI estimates that a 10% increase in global crude oil prices leads to around 15 basis points drop in GDP growth and 30 basis points increase in inflation, but this is based on the old inflation series, while the new one has doubled the combined weightings of petrol and diesel (to 4.8% from 2.3%), which should also raise the sensitivity of CPI inflation to oil price changes, if fully passed,” it said. However, such a pass-through is rarely immediate. “Retail prices of petrol and diesel are unofficially pegged, with OMCs absorbing the impact through their balance sheets,” the report noted.

BATHINDA: Punjab native Raghbir Singh Bharowal, 42, who lived in Surrey, Canada, has died in a motorcycle accident in Peru.Raghbir, a father of three, was a regulated Canadian immigration consultant. He was on a solo motorcycle tour for the past few weeks, which he called ‘Flying Khalsa World Tour’.

He last posted a small clip on social media from Peru three days ago after which all contact was lost with him.Surrey-based journalist Gurpreet Singh Sahota said that his family got worried when they couldn’t contact him for days and began making inquiries. On Tuesday, they learnt of his death.Raghbir’s father Pritam Singh Bharowal, who also lives in Surrey but is in Ludhiana now to attend a wedding, told TOI that the adventure-seeker left on the world tour on his Harley three months ago and planned to travel to 31 countries. Raghbir was to return to Canada for a few days before heading for Argentina, he said.“Three days ago, he called to inform us about his return to Canada but we couldn’t contact him after that. We contacted embassies and checked his GPS, which showed his last location in Trujillo city of Peru. We contacted Trujillo police, who informed us in the wee hours today that he had met with a fatal accident,” said Pritam Singh.Raghbir had migrated to Canada after doing his BTech in civil engineering from Guru Nanak Engineering college Ludhiana and pursued MTech from Windsor city in Ontario and subsequently got Canadian citizenship.Raghbir’s friend, Vancouver resident Gurwinder Singh, recalled that before moving out on his motorcycle tour, Raghbir and a number of his buddies gathered at the opening of a pizza store in Abbotsford city of British Columbia near Vancouver. “He regaled the group with videos and stories of his bike rides. We never thought that it would be our last meeting,” he said.