In the 2026 T20 World Cup, Team India usually scheduled its practice session around 6 pm IST to conduct training under floodlights. But due to the lunar eclipse on March 3, there was a slight change in the normal programme. The men in blue will begin their practice after the eclipse.
According to the Indian Express report, the team avoided the lunar eclipse period for the training session. Eclipse is not considered a suitable time for any auspicious work. Since the training session is for the semi-finals of the tournament, the team decided to make a slight change in the practice timings.
Lunar eclipse forces Indian team management to advance timing of training sessions
According to the report, the timing of the lunar eclipse today was from 03:20 PM, and it will end at 06:47 PM, which overlapped with the team’s normal practice time. As per Hindu rituals, the team decided to go ahead with the training session.
A source told The Indian Express, “The team learned that since it is a lunar eclipse, one should avoid doing anything cool. Since India is playing the semi-final against England, the team wanted to start on a positive note. Many felt that we could extend the practice time till 6:40 pm, refrain from doing any activity. The team management agreed to this and practice was postponed by an hour.”
The defending champion was on the verge of being eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026.
Before any important match, players and staff often visit temples to pray to God. During their course in Kolkata, for the clash against West Indies at the Eden Gardens, the players visited a temple and other holy places in Kolkata before their game.
The winners of the 2024 T20 World Cup needed to win the match against West Indies after they suffered a heavy defeat in their opening match of the Super Eights. After being defeated by The Protest, the defending champions were eliminated from the semi-finals.
The Men in Blue brigade is all set to take on England in the semi-final clash in Mumbai
Recovering from early setbacks in the stage, Suryakumar Yadav and his team achieved consecutive wins against Zimbabwe and West Indies respectively and booked their place in the semi-finals along with South Africa, England and New Zealand.
Team India will face England for the second semi-final on Thursday, March 5 at the prestigious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The winner of the dispute will advance to the finals. In the second match of the phase, there will be a match between South Africa and New Zealand in Kolkata on March 4.
According to the statistics, the Men in Blue are favorites to register a win over the Harry Brook-led side. Overall, India faced England in 29 T20Is, where England won 12 games; The rest, 17, were won by their rival team.
Read more: South Africa Playing XI vs New Zealand Playing XI – 1st Semifinal | ICC T20 World Cup 2026
