McGrath Warns India not to underestimate England in semi-final

Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath says India can’t afford to take England lightly in the T20 World Cup semi-final, stressing that the clash will hinge on execution under pressure and the ability to adapt to England’s pace and variety. He hinted that a final between India and South Africa is on the cards, given South Africa’s strong focus on the shortest format and India's own big-game pedigree. He is in the city for his annual visit to the MRF Pace Foundation, a reminder of his ongoing influence on young bowlers in the region.

McGrath singled out Jasprit Bumrah as a standout big-game player for India, praising his ability to deliver concrete, almost Test-match-length spells in T20s. He placed Bumrah among the top two T20 bowlers in the world today, alongside Josh Hazelwood, noting that such pace and accuracy can dominate in pressure situations and shape a semi-final into a telling bowling duel.

Beyond India’s pace spearhead, McGrath also lauded Alyssa Healy, who recently retired from ODIs. He described her as a backbone of Australian cricket and one of the game’s greats, underscoring how leadership and experience can anchor teams through tough campaigns, even as different formats evolve.

On the broader title race, the former pacer indicated that South Africa has been the standout team of the tournament so far, and that India, if they perform to their potential, can translate that form into a deep run. England remains a dangerous opponent, but their inconsistent trajectory this campaign adds to the intrigue of the knockout rounds. The takeaway: India must execute well, stay composed, and trust their big-match players to steer them toward a possible championship.

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