Lunar eclipse forces India to alter training time in Mumbai ahead of semifinal
India Today
T20 World Cup, IND vs ENG: Team India shifted their training schedule for the semi-final against England due to a lunar eclipse, during which starting new activities is traditionally considered inauspicious.
Team India adjusted their training schedule on Tuesday, March 3, ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Normally, the team trains from 6 to 9 PM, but it was announced by mid-noon that the session would start at 7 PM. The change was believed to be due to the lunar eclipse, with the team avoiding training before it concluded.
England concluded their practice at 5 PM, followed by a two-hour break. India took to the field at around 7:05 PM under the lights. The decision to adjust the timing came after the team management noted that the lunar eclipse would begin at 3:20 PM and end at 6:47 PM.
While there is no scientific basis, tradition advises against starting new activities during a lunar eclipse. In the past, a few domestic matches have also had their schedules adjusted due to lunar eclipses.
India are currently aiming to become the first team to defend their title in the history of the Men’s T20 World Cup. In 2022, they suffered a 10-wicket defeat to England in the semifinals in Adelaide, but India avenged that loss with a 68-run win in the 2024 semifinal in Guyana.
Having won three of their five T20 World Cup encounters against England, India will look to extend their advantage when the two sides meet on March 5.
India’s road to the semifinals was far from straightforward. Although they topped the group stage, the Super 8s posed significant challenges. They began with a heavy 76-run defeat to South Africa but quickly regrouped with a win over Zimbabwe at the Wankhede Stadium.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed how a phone call and a little faith helped Ishan Kishan stage a sensational comeback, earning him a spot in India's Men's T20 World Cup squad. Kishan capitalised on the opportunity, scoring 317 runs in nine matches.
Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav married his childhood friend, Vanshika Singh, on March 14 in a grand ceremony held in Mussoorie. The celebrations were even more special for Kuldeep, coming shortly after India's T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan says the federation replaced the Indian women's team's ill-fitting AFC Women's Asian Cup kits within seven hours, but the effort went unrecognised.
Pakistan national selector Aaqib Javed believes that the country and the country's cricket board need to move on from scapegoating culture to move forward in international cricket.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave in New Delhi, Abhishek Sharma revealed how his father and family helped him overcome a difficult T20 World Cup campaign, during which he battled poor form before scoring a match-winning 18-ball fifty in the final against New Zealand.
Kevin Pietersen has stepped down as Delhi Capitals mentor ahead of IPL 2026, saying he could not commit the time required, though he confirmed he will return to the commentary box during the tournament.
The PCB has denied reports that Pakistan players were fined PKR 5 million each for their T20 World Cup exit, with spokesperson Amir Mir clarifying that no penalties have been imposed, though the board is considering a performance-based accountability formula.
Salman Ali Agha has been given a reprimand and a demerit point following his outburst after the controversial run out during the second ODI against Bangladesh on Friday, March 13.
On this day on March 14, 2001, India overcame a massive first-innings deficit to script a remarkable 171-run victory against Australia in the 2001 Kolkata Test, powered by the record-breaking partnership of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman and a dominant display by Harbhajan Singh on the final day.
Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny and Mithali Raj headline the BCCI Naman Awards 2026 in New Delhi, as Indian cricket celebrates its legends and a historic run of ICC trophy wins.
Irfan Pathan believes IPL 2026 is the right time for MS Dhoni to hand over responsibilities to CSK's next generation, with Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad and others ready to step up.
From a patient wait on the sidelines to leading India to back-to-back T20 World Cup glory, Suryakumar Yadav marks five years of a journey that redefined modern T20 batting.
Blessing Muzarabani faces legal action from the PCB after leaving his PSL contract with Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. This is the second time in as many years that a player has ditched PSL for the IPL.