India vs England, Highlights, ICC Women's T20 World Cup, Semi-Final: Match abandoned due to rain, India through to final

England captain Heather Knight: Very frustrating and not the way we wanted our tournament to end. An exciting spin group we have discovered here. Biggest learning from this competition? Win your first game obviously.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur: In the future, there should be a reserve day. From Day 1, all teams knew about the no reserve day policy so we wanted to win every game and not leave anything to chance.

That’s it. The match has been abandoned and India are through to the finals by virtue of topping their group’s points table. No reserve day as well. Tough luck for England! 

☔ MATCH ABANDONED ☔

For the first time in their history, India have qualified for the Women's #T20WorldCup final 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/88DHzqTbnK

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

The Indians will also take confidence from the win against England in the tri-series in Australia ahead of this World Cup.

England will hope Natalie Sciver maintains her top form and Sophie Ecclestone blows away the threatening Indian top order. India, on the other hand, will hope Shafali Verma, Poonam Yadav continue their fine run and other team members, particularly senior pros Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, join the party. 

Firm title contendors, India would aim to dish out a solid all-round performance against formidable England. Read the preview here

England captain Heather Knight feels tackling Indian spinners, particularly the in-form Poonam Yadav, will be the key to success in their semi-final clash.

More delay for Toss 

The fans are out at the iconic SCG, they’re waiting for some good cricket but will have to wait some more time for the toss.

The wait continues… 

The current scene at the SCG ☔#T20WorldCup | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/avxHxS7tjy

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

India W v England W in T20Is:

Matches: 19
India W won: 4
Eng W won: 15

India have lost the most number of matches against England than any other team in Women’s T20Is.

India have lost each of the five matches that they played against England in Women’s T20 World Cup before today.

Sydney Cricket Ground – the venue for both the semi-final clashes today. It’s time you update yourself with the history of this iconic cricket ground. 

"More than one of our very experienced security guards will tell you that the Ladies' Pavilion is haunted" 👻

Learn all about the weird and wonderful history of the Sydney Cricket Ground 🎥#T20WorldCup | @Bookingcom pic.twitter.com/unvTiutfSV

— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2020

India were the first team to seal a semi-final berth and Brett Lee feels it will take a special effort to stop them from advancing to the finals.

India beat both Australia and New Zealand (and two others) to top the points table of the group stage of the 2018 T20 World Cup and made it to the semi-final. Then they played England, who had finished second in the other group. The similarities between the 2018 and the current edition, thus, suffice to make Indian fans uncomfortable, for India ended up losing a one-sided contest.

To read about the possible strategies India can employ in case of a rain-shortened contest at Sydney today, click here

TOSS has been delayed due to rain 

Glum faces in the England camp at the moment. Live visuals aren’t encouraging at all. According to regulations, a minimum of 10 overs per side is needed to have a shortened game.  

Remember, India will be through to the finals if the downpour continues by virtue of finishing higher on the points table since there is no reserve day.

Heavy rains have been predicted for Sydney and the weather is expected to play spoilsport in both the semi-final clashes today.  

In case the match is washed out, India will be through to the final on basis of better performance in the group stages as there are no reserve days for the two semis. Likewise, in the other clash, defending champions Australia could be knocked out without a ball bowled against Group B leaders South Africa, if the match isn’t possible due to bad weather.

It is pouring heavily as of now. Not good, especially for England who’ll be eliminated in case the match is abandoned due to rain. 

☔ India v England weather update

To complete a 10 over a side match, the toss must be held by 4.36pm local time, and play must commence by 4.51pm local time.

We will keep you updated as the day progresses.#INDvENG | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MVUfMBcuC4

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

The Indians are on a roll, having sealed their semi-final berth with wins over defending champions Australia (by 17 runs), Bangladesh (by 18 runs), New Zealand (by 4 runs) and Sri Lanka (by seven wickets).

England, on the other hand, did not have a great start to their campaign, suffering a six-wicket defeat against South Africa. However, they came back strongly to register convincing wins against Thailand (by 98 runs), Pakistan (by 42 runs) and West Indies (by 46 runs).

No doubt! This is arguably the strongest Indian women’s team one has seen over the years. 

Young, fun-loving, skilful and ambitious – India are convinced they have what it takes to go all the way 🇮🇳 #INDvENG | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/iHE1tW01kJ

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) March 5, 2020

Unlike India’s batting, which has heavily relied on the brilliance of Shafali Verma, their bowling attack has all bases covered at the moment. More often than not, it is the bowlers who have held their nerve in crunch situations to take the side home.

To read the takeaways from India’s group stage campaign, click here

The 16-year-old sensation from India, Shafali Verma, has simply set the cricketing world ablaze with her gobsmacking hitting ability with the bat, right at the top of the order. Her barely-believable batting has propelled her to the summit of ICC T20I rankings for batters . Her influence, especially in the powerplay has changed the dynamics of the team and according to her captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, the teenage star has brought in happiness and optimism to the team.

The women from Thailand, Bangladesh need more matches; Sri Lanka’s overdependence on Chamari Athapaththu…is just like West Indies’ on Stefanie Taylor and more on India’s successful four spinners ploy, Abhishek Mukherjee pens down takeaways from the league stages of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Give it a read.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the first semi-final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 between Harmanpreet Kaur-led India and Heather Knight’s England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Women in Blue will aim to etch history, having never reached a T20 World Cup final in the tournament’s 11-year history. Meanwhile, England have reached the final thrice (2012, 2014 and 2018) since winning the inaugural tournament in 2009, finishing runners-up on all three occasions. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring you LIVE action!