Sunil Gavaskar alerts India about England’s in-form hero with 4 POTMs; says Sanju Samson’s strategy will shape semifinal
Gavaskar stopped short of picking a favourite for the semifinal but felt the contest at the Wankhede would come down to who holds their nerve in crunch moments
India legend Sunil Gavaskar has warned the defending champions about England’s newest hero, who has claimed four Player of the Match awards in the ongoing T20 World Cup, ahead of Thursday’s semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Gavaskar believes opener Sanju Samson, fresh from his unbeaten 97 that powered India into the semifinals against West Indies, will hold the key in countering the England star.
India will face England on Thursday in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal
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Speaking to the media ahead of the DP World Celebrity Golf Event in Mumbai on March 6, aimed at raising awareness for the CHAMPS Foundation, Gavaskar identified Will Jacks as a major threat. Jacks has scored 191 runs, including a half-century, in seven matches, while also picking up seven wickets. His all-round brilliance has helped England remain unbeaten in the Super 8 stage.
“If there is a little bit of turn, he could be a handful. How (Sanju) Samson, Suryakumar Yadav or Hardik Pandya handle him will be key. He is on a roll. To have someone like him at No. 7 is a real plus — just like Shivam Dube was for India the other day,” Gavaskar said.
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The former India batter stopped short of picking a favourite for the semifinal but felt the contest at the Wankhede would come down to who holds their nerve in crunch moments.
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The former India batter stopped short of picking a favourite for the semifinal but felt the contest at the Wankhede would come down to who holds their nerve in crunch moments.
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“It’s going to be another cracker, like the (virtual) quarterfinal against West Indies. Both sides are very well matched. They have batting, bowling, middle order, finishers. Both have variety and plenty of T20 experience,” he added.
It was at the Wankhede that India won the 2011 ODI World Cup final. However, in semifinal encounters at the venue, India have lost two of their three matches — against England in 1987 and West Indies in 2016.
Gavaskar, though, dismissed any historical baggage. “It’s a new era, a new team. I believe India has the capability to go all the way to the final in Ahmedabad.”
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/Sunil Gavaskar alerts India about England’s in-form hero with 4 POTMs; says Sanju Samson’s strategy will shape semifinal
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