As England prepares to battle Team India in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final on March 5 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium, skipper Harry Brook is radiating confidence. He addressed the common perception of England’s struggles against spin, emphasizing the team’s recent success in Sri Lanka, where they’ve claimed six consecutive victories against a formidable opponent known for their prowess on home soil.
“People often criticize us for our spin game, but we’ve proven ourselves in tough conditions. Our victories in Sri Lanka have bolstered our confidence on turning pitches,” Brook remarked.
Looking ahead to the challenge posed by India’s enigmatic spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, the captain expressed his determination. “Chakravarthy is among the world’s elite bowlers, and I will strive to score as many runs as possible against him,” he stated.
Meanwhile, England’s veteran batsman Jos Buttler has struggled with form, managing only 62 runs across seven innings. Brook came to his defense, labeling Buttler a “powerhouse” and insisting that his place in the squad should not be questioned. “The best approach is to let him be. He’s been a standout performer for years, and there’s no reason to doubt his position on the team,” the 27-year-old added.
**T20 World Cup 2026 Team Line-ups:**
**India:** Suryakumar Yadav (C), Sanju Samson (WK), Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma.
**England:** Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid, Jos Buttler (WK), Jamie Overton, Ben Duckett, Jofra Archer, Luke Wood, Sam Curran, Phil Salt (WK), Josh Tongue, Harry Brook (C), Tom Banton, Will Jacks, Jacob Bethell, Rehan Ahmed.