T20 World Cup 2026: England legend says India ‘not unbeatable’ ahead of semifinal clash

England legend says India are “not unbeatable” ahead of semifinal clash (Photo Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Former England opener Michael Atherton has said that India are not an “unbeatable side”, prior to their semifinal clash in the 2026 T20 World Cup on Wednesday, March 5.

The England legend mentioned that they are lacking one “spare” bowling option and some of their batters are not at their best form.

On India’s performance, Atherton said, “India are an exceptional side, obviously, and I thought the run chase against West Indies under pressure [to qualify for the semi-finals] was exceptional. But I do not think they are unbeatable. Issues like fielding, bowling if you get after one or two of their main five (bowlers) – they are lacking a spare option in that department,” Atherton said on Sky Cricket Podcast.

Atherton also stated England have not been at the top of their game, but hopes they will get better in crunch situations like in the 2022 World Cup, which they won.

He believes that England should take a lot of confidence in making the semifinals despite the opening duo of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler not being able to fire. The pair has not been able to get going, with just one half-century amongst them, coming from the bat of Salt. The veteran Buttler has managed meagre returns of just 62 runs in seven innings, with a duck in the previous game against New Zealand.

“Everybody said before this tournament that if England are going to win it then a big part of it will be the Salt-Buttler partnership, but neither has really got going,” said Atherton.

Atherton also added that despite the flaws in the Indian side, England would have to be at their best to beat them.

“Some of their batters have not found their best either, so they are not impregnable. I think England have to be at their best to beat them – and my instinct would be India vs South Africa in the final, a replay of 2024,” he concluded.

The two teams are meeting for the third time in a row in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup, with England winning the first in 2022 and India dominating their next meeting in 2024. India are playing their sixth-straight semifinal, while this is England’s fifth-straight semifinal appearance.

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