How England can shock Kohli and Co as Jos Buttler's defending champions look to reach World Cup final with a fiercesome bowler and unpredictable weather in their way

England are up against the odds as they look to reach the final of the World CupThey will take on an unbeaten India side that possesses a number of threatsButtler's side will need to improve on what has been an indifferent tournament 

England will look to book their place in the World Cup final once again on Thursday when they face India in Guyana.

Jos Buttler's side have had a disappointing tournament so far, squeeking through the initial group stages and then narrowly making it through the Super Eights, but they are now two games away from retaining their title.

They will, however, be heavy underdogs. The defending champions will need to up their game to earn a result, and hope rain also stays out the way.

India have had a strong tournament but are not unbeatable. Should they claim victory, they will take on South Africa or Afghanistan in the final, but England have their sights set on that game too.

Mail Sport's LAWRENCE BOOTH takes a look at how England can emerge victorious on Thursday.

England will look to book their place in the T20 World Cup final when they face India on Thursday afternoon

Jos Buttler's side have had an indifferent tournament but are hoping to defend their title

Keep the pressure on Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma's 92 off 41 balls against Australia in St Lucia was the innings of the World Cup, and a reminder that India's former captain is fully committed to his side's recent policy of all-out attack. But England head coach Matthew Mott spoke on Wednesday about striking in the powerplay, of 'throwing that first punch'.

If Rohit falls cheaply, England can exploit the strangely subdued form of Virat Kohli. Six innings have brought him just 66 runs and a pedestrian strike-rate of 100.

Might he chew up vital balls, as he did when making 50 off 40 in the Adelaide semi-final between these teams in November 2022?

England will hope to keep the pressure on the out-of-form Virat Kohli during the fixture

Deal with Jasprit Bumrah

Some of Bumrah's analyses have boggled the mind: two for six against Ireland, three for 14 against Pakistan, three for seven against Afghanistan.

He has taken more wickets (11) than he has conceded boundaries (nine), and Mott suggested England's gameplan amounted to hoping he has an off-day - or, failing that, scoring runs at the other end.

Australia's Travis Head did hit Bumrah for three fours in four deliveries in St Lucia, attacking the slightest width, then going after his short ball. But England will have to be on top of their game.

Star bowler Jasprit Bumrah has taken more wickets at the tournament than he has conceded boundaries so far

Attack the others

India's left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh, who has 15 wickets at 11, has admitted benefiting from Bumrah's brilliance, because batsmen have to take risks against him instead. But that is a strategy in England's blood: they must not allow the non-Bumrah bowlers to settle.

Phil Salt's natural aggression will be vital. India's captain Hardik Pandya may be vulnerable after disappearing for 47 against Australia, while left-arm spinner Axar Patel conceded 26 in two overs against Bangladesh.

These have been rare moments of profligacy for India's bowlers, it's true, but England will not win without chancing their arm.

Arshdeep Singh has admitted that he has benefitted from the brilliant of his team-mate

Forget the injustice of the rain rules

The unpredictability of the Guyanese weather in rainy season means the absence of a reserve day could yet eliminate England, since they finished lower in their Super Eight group than India. And Mott admitted: 'I'm not going to lie, it would be great to have a reserve day because the weather can change from day to day.

Maybe that's something the ICC need to look at long term.' Wisely, he added: 'It's not a point we'll dwell over.'

England have to suck up the potential injustice, and be ready for a shortened game, with 10 overs a side the minimum for the semi-finals.

Pick the brains of Kieron Pollard

The last time England played in Guyana was in 2010, placing extra onus on the Caribbean wisdom of Kieron Pollard, the former West Indies captain who is part of Mott's backroom staff.

Mott called him an 'absolute find' and, according to insiders, Pollard came into his own ahead of England's game against his compatriots in St Lucia, providing vital insights into the West Indians' weaknesses.

Now, at a venue where he himself played as recently as September in the Caribbean Premier League, and where India played two T20s the month before, his local knowledge will be crucial once more.

Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has been with Matthew Mott's coaching staff

England players have so far been able to pick the former all-rounders' brains, and they have not played in Guyana since 2010

Adapt to the conditions

Guyana's Providence Stadium tends to produce slow, low pitches, with New Zealand skittled for 75 by Afghanistan in one of the group games.

England's data analysts have calculated that nearly half of all overs bowled at the ground in T20 cricket have come from spinners. And while that will not disappoint India, it could also play into the hands of the in-form Adil Rashid, as well as Liam Livingstone, who hurried through four tidy overs against the USA.

England's last three matches were on generally good pitches in St Lucia and Barbados. Now they will have to adapt again.