England will find out their opponent in the T20 World Cup final on Thursday when India take on the West Indies in the second cricket T20 World Cup Semi-final in Mumbai.
After England defeated New Zealand in the first semi on Wednesday we are guaranteed a former winner of this tournament regaining the title. Both of these two sides will be eager for the chance to compete for the big prize.
India have been under par throughout this tournament but they have made it into this semi-final and deserve credit for that. I think everyone associated with the side will know they need to find at least a 20% improvement ahead of this match for them to be competitive.
Up until now India have played an unchanged side in this tournament but they will be forced into their first alteration to their team because Yuvraj Singh has been ruled out of the rest of the event with an injury. Manish Pandey has been called up as a replacement for him but Ajinkya Rahane or Pawan Negi are in line to replace Yuvraj.
West Indies were cruising through the tournament having secured their qualification for this semi-final prior to their last game in the group. Given that they lost to Afghanistan that was a good thing but I’m not sure how much notice we should take of that defeat. They never truly looked interested from the outset.
Chris Gayle missed the Afghanistan match but he will return to the top of the order. Andre Fletcher has been ruled out of the semi-final. Lendl Simmons has been added to the squad as his replacement and he could go straight into the side on his home ground.
The tournament goes back to the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai for this match. We saw in the early part of the event that this is the best batting wicket in the tournament and we’re all set up for a classic contest. West Indies beat England here earlier in their campaign while India play here for the first time in the competition.
India haven’t convinced me at all in the tournament. They were woeful against New Zealand, should have been knocked out by Bangladesh and but for unbelievable knocks from Virat Kohli against Pakistan and Australia they would have lost to them too.
West Indies have looked much more in control of everything in this tournament and you just know that they relish playing in the 20 over format. They won this tournament back in 2012 and are looking in good shape to win it again. They may well have retained their title two years ago but for rain in the semi-final but there is no problem with that here.
I’ve seen nothing to suggest India should be as short for this match. By virtue of my outright punt on the Windies I’m already effectively on them at a tasty price so I’ve no need to go in on them again. I wouldn’t put anyone who isn’t on them outright to go in on them here though.
Instead my bet for this match will come in the sixes market where most of my bets on this ground have done. Although India haven’t batted particularly well in the tournament as a whole this is a ground where even an out of form player can fill their boots.
We saw earlier in the tournament how the wicket is perfect for batting and how the boundaries are perfectly accessible. With all the batting talent on show in this match I just can’t believe this is going to be anything but a high scoring game and assuming it is I fully expect to see at least 15 sixes with the way these two sides go about their business with the bat in their hands.
T20 World Cup Semi-final Tip
WON – Back Over 14.5 sixes for a 5/10 stake at 1.83 with Betway
