Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes England have a decisive lead over India ahead of their sensational T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai, going so far as to say he has a “fun feeling” the defending champions can upset the tournament favourites.
Speaking on the Test Match Special podcast, Vaughan pointed to the depth of England’s bowling – particularly their spin – as a factor that could tip the contest on Thursday.
“England seem to have found a way to win,” Vaughan said. “England have a better spin attack than India. (Varun) Chakravarthy got on; Dawson, Rashid and Will Jacks were the best spin trio in the tournament.”
England, led by Harry Brooke, have not exactly blown teams away in this tournament. They were far from dominant in the group stage, despite winning three of their four matches to qualify. But since entering the Super 8 stage, England have strung together five consecutive wins to equalize close battles against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand for top spot in Group 2.
Meanwhile, India cruised through the group stage with four wins, but their campaign faltered after a heavy defeat to South Africa left Super 8 qualification in the balance. Gautam Gambhir’s men have responded strongly in must-win matches against Zimbabwe and the West Indies to book a place in the semi-finals, yet questions remain over certain aspects of their game.
With a place in Sunday’s final up for grabs, Vaughan believes England’s all-round discipline could trouble the co-hosts.
DOES ENGLAND HAVE BETTER SPINNERS THAN INDIA?
England’s trio of Adil Rashid, Liam Dawson and Will Jacks have quietly been among the most effective combinations in the tournament. Rashid picked up 11 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 7.83, continuing to be England’s middle overs option. Dawson was equally reliable, taking 10 wickets in seven games at an economy of 7.30, while Jacks chipped in with seven wickets in seven matches.
“Dawson, Rashid and Will Jacks were the best trio in the tournament in terms of spin,” Vaughan said.
In contrast, India’s leading wicket-taker Varun Chakravarthy has 12 wickets in seven matches at an economy of 7.66 but has looked vulnerable in high-pressure games. He conceded 40 runs against the West Indies and escaped with 47 against South Africa, raising concerns about his control when aggressive batsmen targeted him.
India has depth. Vice-captain Axar Patel has taken seven wickets in five matches at an economy of 7.52 and remains a reliable option through the middle overs. The co-hosts could also turn to the wrist of Kuldeep Yadav, who boasts a strong record against England across formats. However, Kuldeep has bowled just three overs so far in the tournament, making his eventual inclusion a significant tactical shift.
INDIAN CONCERNS IN THE FIELD
While Vaughan supported England’s bowlers, he was equally impressed by their sharpness in the field.
“England was absolutely exceptional,” he said. “They look really alert. England’s runs between the wickets have been exceptional. The small percentage of things you can control, England seem to do very well.”
England’s energy in the field stood out throughout the tournament, particularly at the tight end where sharp stops and quick singles set the pace.
India on the other hand is struggling in this department. Their catching woes continued during the must-win match against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens, where more chances were wasted. India have dropped 13 catches so far in the tournament – the most of any team – and their catch rate of 71.7 per cent is the lowest among Super 8 teams.
In knockout cricket, these margins can prove expensive.
India remain favorites not only for this semi-final but also to lift the trophy at all. Their batting line-up is loaded with experience and they have already shown resilience in bouncing back from adversity.
But Vaughan believes England’s ability to win tight matches, their spin strength and excellent fielding could make the difference.
“I just have a funny feeling that England can do the job in Mumbai,” he said.
With the Wankhede crowd expected to be solidly behind India, England will need more than feel. However, if Vaughan’s prediction comes true, Mumbai could witness one of the biggest shocks of the tournament.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
04 Mar 2026 07:54 IST
