England’s coach, Matthew Mott, is preparing his team for a challenging semi-final against India at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Guyana, with a specific focus on the potential threat posed by veteran right-hander Virat Kohli.
Despite Kohli’s relatively modest performance in the tournament so far, scoring only 66 runs from six innings, Mott expects the experienced Indian batsman to rise to the occasion in the crucial knockout match.
“Virat has proven his class over a very long period of time and he is one of the players we’ve prepared well for,” Mott said. “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 acknowledged Kohli’s tendency to excel in high-stakes matches, emphasizing the need for his team to contain the top-order threat that Kohli represents. “He’s definitely a key player for them,” Mott noted, “and like we’ve said throughout this tournament, what’s happened means nothing when we face off against each other—big players step up in the big moments.”
The semi-final in Guyana will be a rematch of the 2022 semi-final between England and India, where England triumphed with a 10-wicket victory at the Adelaide Oval. However, Mott emphasized that the conditions in the Caribbean will be vastly different from those two years ago. Both teams will play their first match of the tournament at the Guyana National Stadium, adding an element of unpredictability.
“I don’t think anyone starts at an advantage or disadvantage in a semi-final,” Mott said. “I think it’s who adapts the quickest. You can come in with preconceived ideas, but our mantra has always been playing what’s in front of us.”
Mott stressed the importance of his team’s ability to quickly understand and adapt to the conditions, whether batting or bowling. He also highlighted the valuable insights provided by former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard, who is part of the England camp. “Having someone like Kieron Pollard in our camp, whose intel on all the islands and what we can expect has been invaluable,” Mott said. “He’s got a great presence within our group and the way he goes about it.”
As the semi-final approaches, both teams will need to be at their adaptive best to navigate the unique challenges presented by the conditions in Guyana.
