The defending champions India are leaving no stones unturned to gear up for the crunch T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against England, which is scheduled to be played on March 5 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Right ahead of the all-important fixture, Indian players will be seen toiling hard in the practice session on March 3. However as per an Indian Express report, they had to adjust the schedule for practice session due to the Lunar Eclipse. Originally, the team management had planned to train from 6:00 PM IST to 9:00 PM IST at the Wankhede Stadium, following their standard routine of practicing two days prior to a major T20 World Cup fixture. This timing had already been communicated officially by the Indian cricket board as part of their semifinals buildup against England.
Team India's practice delayed due to Lunar Eclipse
However, these plans were revised after the management took note of the eclipse's timing, which is set to begin at 3:20 PM and conclude at 6:47 PM. Citing Hindu rituals and traditional beliefs, the team opted to avoid training during this window, as the period is often considered inauspicious and thought to bring misfortune.
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The decision also accounts for the specific visibility of the moon in India, which is expected to appear at 6:26 PM, reaching its maximum visibility between 6:33 PM and 6:40 PM. By pushing back or altering the session, the team ensures they remain in alignment with these cultural observances while they prepare for their high-stakes knockout clash on Thursday.
“The team found out that since it is chandra grahan ‘lunar eclipse’ one should avoid doing anything good. As India is playing semi-finals against England the team wanted to start on a positive note. Many felt that we can push the practice time until 6:40 PM one should avoid doing any activity. The team management agreed to it and practice was postponed by an hour,” a source confirmed Indian Express.
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All eyes on India vs England showdown in T20 World Cup semis
On the competitive front, India enter the semifinals with significant momentum after a decisive victory over the West Indies in their final Super 8 clash. This win officially secured their spot in the high-stakes knockout stage, where they are now scheduled to face England this Thursday. As the reigning champions, the Indian team is currently chasing a historic milestone. Having lifted the trophy in the previous edition, they are aiming to become the first nation in the history of the tournament to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title.