India v England T20 World Cup predictions & cricket betting tips

Free cricket tips, best bets & analysis for India v England in Thursday's T20 World Cup semi-final.

Where to watch

India v England
Sky Sports Main Event & Cricket, 8am Thursday

Best bets

India
1pt 4-5 general

Virat Kohli to be man of the match
1pt 7-1 general

Preview

It has not been the most convincing of campaigns but for a second successive year England find themselves in the last four of the Twenty20 World Cup with India awaiting them in a blockbuster semi-final at the Adelaide Oval.

England's Super 12 phase began with a stuttering win over Afghanistan, a shock defeat to Ireland and a washout against Australia.

That left Jos Buttler's side needing to win their final two Super 12 matches to be assured of a knockout berth and they obliged in a 20-run win over in-form New Zealand.

As for their final group match against Sri Lanka, England made it tough for themselves, prevailing by four wickets with only two balls to spare in Sydney thanks to a heroic unbeaten knock of 42 from Ben Stokes.

It has been a case of winning ugly with England yet to get out of second gear and, although some argue that means they have plenty more left in the tank for this semi-final, it is hard to ignore the fact India came through their group more smoothly.

The Men in Blue won four of their five assignments in the Super 12 phase with their sole defeat coming midway through their campaign against South Africa when they already had two wins under their belt.

They have posted scores of 175-plus three times already in Australia and legendary batsman Virat Kohli has looked a man reborn down under.

England's cause is not helped by selection dilemmas heading into this match either.

They have fielded the same 11 throughout the entire tournament but could be forced into changes in Adelaide after batsman Dawid Malan went off with a groin injury against Sri Lanka on Saturday and pace bowler Mark Wood pulled up in training on Tuesday.

Malan's potential absence, in particular, would unsettle the team's dynamics. Even if Stokes is deployed at three, England will have to shake things up either by bringing in Phil Salt at four or by drafting in another bowler.

But, above all else, what makes India the most appealing selection is the form of Kohli.

His unbeaten 82 from 53 deliveries against Pakistan was mesmerising and acted as a catalyst for a sharp turnaround in form.

He also posted unbeaten half-centuries against both the Netherlands and Bangladesh, taking his runs tally to 246 in the tournament.

Kohli often needs the buzz of a big occasion to perform and what better occasion than a World Cup semi-final? At 7-1, he looks a good bet to pick up his third man-of-the-match award at this tournament.

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