With one finalist confirmed, after New Zealand comprehensively ended South Africa's unbeaten run at the tournament in the Eden Gardens, the stage is set at the iconic Wankhede Stadium to decide who will face the Kiwis in the Final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. After contrasting journeys in the Super 8 stage, the defending champions India face their toughest test yet, as they take on a red-hot England side in the second semifinal on March 5. While the action on the field is expected to be electric, all eyes in the build-up to the tie are on Mumbai's skies and weather conditions which could play a big role in deciding the outcome of this game.
India were unbeaten in the group stage of the tournament but were handed a harsh reality check in their Super 8 opener. The Men in Blue were comprehensively beaten by South Africa which meant they had to win their next two games to make it to the semifinals. Suryakumar Yadav's team recovered well from that stumble, with Sanju Samson returning to the Playing XI to guide them into the knockouts with an immaculate 97* against West Indies in a virtual ‘quarterfinal.'
The Three Lions meanwhile stormed through their Super 8 group unbeaten, beating Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand with dominant performances to seal their semifinal berth. Now with both teams ready to battle it out in a third successive T20 World Cup semifinal meeting, here's a look at the weather prediction for Mumbai ahead of this decisive tie.
Mumbai Weather Report: Sweltering Heat and the Dew Factor at Wankhede
The latest meteorological reports from the IMD confirm that rain will not be an issue for the India vs England clash. Fans can expect a full 40-over contest with a 0% probability of precipitation. However, when discussing the weather in Mumbai, it is also important to mention two other parameters: heat and humidity.
Mumbai is currently experiencing a pre-summer heat spike, with daytime temperatures touching 34°C. By the 7:00 PM start time, it will hover around 31°C, but the temperature inside a packed Wankhede could ‘feel' much higher due to the lack of wind.
ALSO READ | India Vs England In ICC Knockouts: From 1983 To 2024 — Clashes That Defined Two Cricketing Giants
As the sun sets over the Mumbai skyline, humidity levels are also expected to climb from a dry 35% to a sticky 55-60% by the time of the second innings.
This is the tactical headache for the captains and could be a good excuse to lose the Toss and take what fate hands you. On one hand, if the dew sets in heavily, the ball will become slippery, making it nearly impossible for the spinners to grip and completely negating an important threat for both teams. This would give the team chasing a clear upperhand in the tie.
But, if the dew doesn't set in, then the scoreboard pressure in a high-stakes knockout could favour the team bowling second, as we saw in the previous semifinal between these two teams in Guyana back in 2024.
What happens in the odd likelihood that the semifinal is a washout?
Should play be interrupted on March 5, a Reserve Day is in place for Friday, March 6. Crucially, officials will not settle for a 'five-over sprint,' as tournament regulations dictate that at least 10 overs per side must be completed to constitute a legal match.
If the Mumbai skies open up and prevent even a shortened contest across both the scheduled day and the reserve day, then focus shifts from the pitch to the points table. In this nightmare scenario for the hosts, the 'Group Rank' rule kicks in. The team that finished higher in their respective Super 8 group will automatically advance. Because England finished at the top of Group 2 with a flawless record, while India finished second in Group 1 following their loss to South Africa, a total washout would see the defending champions eliminated without a ball being bowled.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.