England will approach their T20 World Cup semi-final against India without apprehension, according to all rounder Sam Curran, who said their immediate task would be to quieten a partisan crowd in Mumbai.
England face the hosts at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, with a place in the final against South Africa or New Zealand at stake. Around 35,000 spectators are expected.
Curran said familiarity with conditions through the Indian Premier League would assist England’s preparation. Several members of the squad, including Will Jacks with Mumbai Indians, have recent experience at the venue.
“It’s an experience as a young cricketer you dream of – playing India in the semi-final of a World Cup,” Curran said.
Curran returned to the England side after a period out of the international set up, earning selection through performances in franchise tournaments, including the IPL.
“India are a quality side but we’ve played a lot of cricket here. We know how to play on these grounds and we know what to expect,” he said.
“The IPL, no question, has helped a lot. Having played in the ground many times, there’s not many unknowns.”
England encountered a hostile atmosphere at the same ground earlier in the tournament during a one ball victory over Nepal. Curran bowled the final over, conceding five runs when Nepal required 10. He repeated that role against Italy and has scored 149 runs in the competition, with a highest score of 43 not out from number six.
“We’re not fearing anything and I’m sure both teams are really excited by the challenge,” Curran said.
“If the crowd are silent, England are probably going to be doing well. That’s our positive way of looking at it,” he said.
This is the third successive T20 World Cup in which England and India have met at the semi final stage. In 2022 England won by 10 wickets in Adelaide before defeating Pakistan in the final in Melbourne. India prevailed by 68 runs in Guyana two years ago and later beat South Africa in the final in Barbados.
South Africa meet New Zealand in the first semi final on Wednesday. The final is scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad.
“I guess this is what the last four or five weeks have been building for,” Curran said. “And hopefully we can take one more step towards the final.”