ICC Men's T20 World Cup: India delay practice over Lunar Eclipse ahead of semi-final match

The Indian cricket team will take on England in the semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, but preparations ahead of the high-stakes clash saw an unusual twist.

The Gautam Gambhir-coached side delayed its practice session on Tuesday due to the Lunar Eclipse. The session, originally scheduled for 6 pm IST, was pushed back by nearly an hour, with reports suggesting players felt it was inauspicious to train before 6:47 pm IST. Members of the squad and support staff have reportedly been following certain rituals during the tournament, including temple visits across major centres. Captain Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir are among those who have paid visits to temples during the campaign.

While the belief surrounding the eclipse holds cultural significance for some, there is no scientific evidence linking celestial events to sporting outcomes.

On the field, the India-England rivalry adds further intrigue. This marks the third straight T20 World Cup where the two teams meet in the semi-finals. In 2022, England ended India’s campaign and went on to lift the trophy. In 2024, India turned the tables, defeating England before clinching the title.

Also Read: ICC Men's T20 World Cup: What if rain washes out India vs England semi-final?

Interestingly, in both editions, the winner of this semi-final went on to become world champion — a trend that raises the stakes even higher for Thursday’s blockbuster encounter.