As England prepares for their knockout semi-final against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, head coach Matthew Mott is acutely aware of the threat posed by Virat Kohli.
Despite Kohli’s modest 66 runs from six innings in the tournament so far, Mott anticipates the experienced right-hander to rise to the occasion in the crucial match in Guyana.
Mott emphasized Kohli’s knack for delivering stellar performances in high-stakes matches and acknowledged the need for his team to neutralize the top-order danger the 35-year-old represents.
“Virat has proven his class over a very long period of time, and he is one of the players we’ve prepared well for. We know how he can play; we know how destructive he can be, and we also know his game smarts. If the game demands an innings of a different nature, he’s got that skill,” Mott said during the pre-match press conference.
“He’s definitely a key player for them, and like we’ve said throughout this tournament, what’s happened before means nothing when we face off against each other. Big players step up in big moments. We’re hoping our players do that, but you can expect him to do exactly the same,” the head coach added.
The semi-final in Guyana will be a rematch of the 2022 semi-final between England and India, where England triumphed by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval. However, Mott is cautious, noting that the conditions in the Caribbean will be significantly different from those two years ago. Both England and India will be playing their first match of the tournament at the Guyana National Stadium.
Mott believes that the key to victory will be how quickly each team adapts to the conditions. “I don’t think anyone starts at an advantage or disadvantage in a semi-final. It’s about who adapts the quickest. You can come in with preconceived ideas, but our mantra has always been to play what’s in front of us,” Mott noted.
“The intel we gather in those first couple of overs, whether with the bat or the ball, has been crucial in this competition. The communication about what to expect and which ends to target with the wind has been a strong suit for us,” he added.
Mott also highlighted the advantage of having former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard in their camp, providing valuable insights into the Caribbean conditions. “Having someone like Kieron Pollard in our camp, with his knowledge of all the islands, has been invaluable. He’s got a great presence within our group and the way he goes about it,” Mott concluded.
