England will need to do something “extra special” to beat India and reach the final of the T20 World Cup, says Paul Collingwood, who had led his country to the title when the tournament was last hosted in the Caribbean in 2010.

Collingwood, the England Test assistant coach, believes the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side is very different in mentality and approach from the one that had lost to England in the 2022 T20 Cup semi-final in Adelaide. That, the England veteran says, makes the job a lot harder for Jos Buttler and his men in Thursday’s second semi-final at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

“I can’t see India getting beaten given how they’ve been playing. England need to do something extra special to beat India in the semis.

“They played well and won on those tough wickets in the USA, Rohit Sharma is back in form and Jasprit Bumrah is bowling brilliantly,” Collingwood said at a virtual news conference hosted by broadcasters Star Sports on Tuesday. “India have been good chasers in T20 cricket, but the change I see now is them being aggressive while setting targets. They have a different mentality now to take on the (opposition) bowling from ball one. So, if they bat first, they could get a total that’s way beyond England,” the former all-rounder said.

However, Buttler regaining some form with his blistering unbeaten 83 against the USA last Sunday should make the English dressing room feel much better, Collingwood said. “Buttler’s form has turned and he looks confident, (he) has a smile around his face which makes a difference and calms things down in the dressing room,” he said.

The Guyana pitch is usually slow and batters tend to find strokeplay a tad tougher. Also, there’s a forecast of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, which means England, Collingwood feels, could opt for four quicks.

“A lot will come down to the surface in Guyana. If it’s flat, the game could go England’s way as they can outpower teams in such conditions. If it’s slow, it’s a little more favourable for India.”

Bumrah factor

The Buttler-Phil Salt opening combination is one big advantage for England. But India, too, have the Bumrah weapon to negate the duo. For Collingwood, that contest could be the defining aspect of Thursday’s face-off.

“Bumrah’s skill level, pace and the deception in T20 cricket is incredible. Will England go aggressive against him? If they can take down the lynchpin, the effect on India can be huge. You saw Travis Head go against him (Bumrah) a couple of times (in St Lucia on Monday). If the opposition does take down the spearhead, it could dishearten India. But yeah, it’s going to be risky because we know the kind of damage Bumrah can cause,” Collingwood asserted.

Adil role

For England, the role that leg-spinner Adil Rashid plays will be vital as well, especially in the middle overs. “One thing about Rashid is that his wrong’un is so difficult to pick. He has got a really good deception, which is key in T20s, whether he’s bowling the slower one or trying to deceive the batsman with turn.

“India play spin well, but Rashid looks very confident and right on top of his game,” Collingwood said.