T20 World Cup 2022: Semi-Final 2 - Predicted India Playing XI vs England

The India team, led by Rohit Sharma, will take on one of the pre-tournament favorites England, in the second semi-final at the Adelaide Oval for a place in the final of the tournament. The Men in Blue finished top of their group after a comprehensive victory against Zimbabwe in their last Super 12 game.

While the experts have pinned India as the favorites heading into the crunch game, Jos Buttler's side are more than capable of upending the sub-continent side. However, India will fancy their chances given the impressive form of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav. A mouth-watering contest between two strong sides awaits at the Adelaide Oval on the 10th of November.

Let’s look at India's probable playing XI against England

Openers: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c)

The opening slot has been an area of concern for the Indian team since last year's T20 World Cup. But KL Rahul has calmed the nerves after registering back-to-back half-centuries in the previous two outings against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The stylish opening batter has taken the pressure off his skipper at the top of the innings.

While KL Rahul has regained his form, his opening partner and skipper Rohit Sharma is due a big score in this year's World Cup. Rohit Sharma has looked sluggish so far, but only a brave man can rule him out from scoring big in the semis, given his exploits in white-ball cricket.

Middle Order: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk)

The tournament's leading run scorer Virat Kohli started things by pulling off a miraculous chase against arch-rivals Pakistan at the MCG. He has gone from strength to strength since then, churning out runs for fun. His record at the Adelaide Oval is unmatched, and the fans will be hoping for another masterclass from 'King Kohli'.

Kohli started the celebrations for India in this year's edition of the World Cup, but the tournament has truly belonged to his middle-order batting partner Suryakumar Yadav. The innovative batter has been the most watchable batter in the format since making his debut and claimed the top spot in the ICC rankings on the back of some glittering knocks in the Super 12 stage. He is arguably India's best batter in the format and holds the key in their pursuit of a first ICC title since 2013.

The Men in Blue have persisted with veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik for the majority of the tournament, but with the shorter square boundaries on offer in Adelaide and Rishabh Pant's impressive record against the Englishmen, the southpaw might get the nod ahead of Karthik. Pant was dismissed cheaply in his last outing against Zimbabwe and will have a job to do against a potent English bowling unit.

All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin

India's flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya has had a quiet tournament with the bat in hand. He did manage to contribute with a valuable innings in the campaign opener against Pakistan but has been underwhelming since then. Rohit Sharma will hope that he can come good in the crunch clash against England.

Much like Hardik, Axar Patel has not been able to attain his usual lofty standards in the ongoing tournament. The tall left-arm spinner has managed to scalp just three wickets in the four outings at the Super 12 stage. 

While Hardik and Axar have struggled to do business with the bat, their senior pro- Ravichandran Ashwin has been the man for the big occasions for the team. Whether it be his match-winning runs against Pakistan or the belligerent cameo against Bangladesh, Ashwin has put his hands up for the Men in Blue in decisive moments.

Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh

Veteran Indian fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been spearheading the bowling attack for the Men in Blue to great effect in the T20 World Cup. Although he hasn't had a prolific time with the ball in hand, he has kept a lid on the scoring rate inside the powerplay. English skipper Jos Buttler won't be looking forward to facing the Indian pacer who has dismissed him five times in T20Is, the most by any bowler.

Mohammed Shami was drafted into the Indian squad after clearing the fitness test following an untimely Covid-19 infection. The speedster has chipped in with crucial blows for the India team, especially in the middle overs of the innings.

Young Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh has taken his game to the next level, filling the void left by star bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The 23-year-old finished with ten scalps to his name in the Super 12 stage of the tournament. His partnership with Bhuvneshwar with the new ball will be vital against Jos Buttler's England.

India Predicted XI:

KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh