'I don't believe': Harry Brook makes bold claim ahead of IND vs ENG T20 World Cup semi-final game

NEW DELHI — England captain Harry Brook has declared that his side does not need a “perfect game” to beat India and secure the T20 World Cup title, setting an upbeat tone on the eve of Thursday’s semi-final in Delhi.

The two-time champions will confront the tournament hosts at an iconic venue for the third consecutive edition, renewing a rivalry that has produced dramatic finishes in 2016 and 2021. While India entered the competition as favourites, both teams have ridden fluctuating form to reach the last four.

Asked whether only a flawless performance could topple Rohit Sharma’s men on home soil, Brook was unequivocal. “No, I don’t believe that we need a perfect game to win the competition to be honest,” he said. “The games that we have won have been nowhere near perfect and we’ve still managed to get the wins convincingly in some of them and then tight the other games.”

The 25-year-old skipper instead pointed to three intangible ingredients that have carried England through the group stage: unity, belief and composure under pressure. “It’s just the unity that we’ve had to be able to get across the line, the belief that everybody’s shown throughout the games and the calmness that we’ve had when the bowlers have stood at the top of the mark,” he explained.

Brook labelled the occasion “a dream come true”, adding: “It’s up there for sure… to play in a World Cup semi-final against the home nation on a very iconic ground, so we’re all really looking forward to it.”

England have yet to produce the commanding 40-over performance many predicted before the tournament, but Brook sees that as an opportunity rather than a concern. “We haven’t quite played that perfect performance (yet) and I feel like it’s just around the corner… Hopefully, it’s tomorrow night,” he said.

He also offered a staunch defence of wicket-keeper batter Jos Buttler, whose lean run has invited scrutiny. “There should be no reason to question why he’s on the team,” Brook insisted.

Questions persist over England’s ability to negotiate India’s spin quartet, yet Brook brushed aside the narrative. “We don’t feel like we’re ever out of a game so far,” he remarked, suggesting a single match-winning hand could decide the contest. “I feel like there’s a big individual performance to come.”

With a place in Saturday’s final at stake, Brook’s message was clear: England back themselves to prevail without needing to produce the mythical complete game.