Team India tweaked their training schedule on Tuesday, March 3, ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Normally the team practices from 6 to 9 p.m., but mid-afternoon it was announced that practice would begin at 7 p.m. The change was believed to be due to a lunar eclipse, with the team avoiding practice before it ended.
England finished their session at 5pm, followed by a two-hour break. India took to the field around 7:05 PM in the light. The decision to adjust the timing came after team management noted that the lunar eclipse would begin at 3:20 p.m. and end at 6:47 p.m.
Although there is no scientific basis, tradition advises against starting new activities during a lunar eclipse. In the past, several home games have also been adjusted due to lunar eclipses.
India are currently aiming to become the first team to defend their title in the history of the Men’s Under-20 World Cup. In 2022, they suffered a 10-wicket defeat to England in Adelaide, but India avenged that loss by winning by 68 runs in the 2024 semi-final in Guyana.
Having won three out of five World T20 matches against England, India will look to extend their advantage when the two sides meet on March 5.
HOW INDIA QUALIFIED FOR SEMIS
India’s journey to the semi-finals was far from straightforward. Despite coming out on top in the group stage, the Super 8s presented considerable challenges. They started with a heavy 76 run defeat to South Africa but they quickly regrouped with a win over Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium.
They followed it up with a memorable win against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a daunting 196, India recovered from an early wobble to secure a thrilling five-wicket win with four balls to spare.
Sanju Samson played a master classhe scored an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, to lead India to their most successful run in T20 World Cup history. If India win Thursday’s semi-final, they will face the winner of the other semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
March 3, 2026 7:42 PM IST
