India’s Semi-final Practice Delayed At Wankhede Stadium Due To Lunar Eclipse
India delays T20 World Cup semi-final practice at Wankhede Stadium due to lunar eclipse superstition.
The Indian cricket team postponed its T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final practice on Tuesday at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, citing the timing of a lunar eclipse as inauspicious. The session, initially scheduled for 6 pm IST, was delayed by an hour, reflecting the players’ belief in the eclipse’s impact on their preparations ahead of Thursday’s semi-final clash against England Cricket Team.
Insiders told NDTV that members of the team, along with coach Gautam Gambhir, felt it was important to avoid practice before 6:47 pm IST. Rituals and temple visits have been a part of India’s World Cup routine, with key players including captain Suryakumar Yadav and Abhishek Sharma making visits to religious sites in every major host city. While the team follows these customs, there is no scientific basis supporting the belief that a lunar eclipse affects performance.
The semi-final sets up a high-stakes encounter between India and England, continuing a compelling sequence in recent editions. This marks the third consecutive T20 World Cup where the two teams meet in the last four, following England’s victory over India in 2022 and India’s semi-final win against England in 2024. Historically, the winner of the India-England semi-final has gone on to lift the trophy, adding extra significance to the upcoming match.
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Statistically, both sides have had mixed fortunes at the Wankhede. England have played six T20Is at the venue, winning three and losing three, while India have won five of their seven matches, remaining unbeaten in T20Is there since December 2017. These figures set the stage for a closely contested semi-final.
The Indian team has two crucial days to fine-tune their preparations, and the delay in practice due to the eclipse reflects a blend of tradition and strategy in their approach. The squad continues to balance superstitions with rigorous training and tactical planning under Gambhir’s guidance.
As fans across India await the high-intensity clash, the semi-final promises to be another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two cricketing giants, with history and superstition both adding to the intrigue.
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