England's middle order vs India's spinners: The battle set to define the Guyana semi-final

This World Cup has been one of contrasts for these two sides. India have looked a like a well-oiled outfit for the most part, winning all their matches so far, with the exception of a washout against Canada. Meanwhile, England have had multiple rain interruptions, and reached the final four on the back of a just a single victory against another Test-playing side.

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Perhaps the biggest point of difference between them, though, comes in the form of their squad selection. The defending champions picked just two specialist spinners for the tournament, in Adil Rashid and Tom Hartley. The latter is yet to make his T20I debut. India, on the other hand, went with a total of four options, albeit helped by the fact that two of them are all-rounders; Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja supplement Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

This decision may have been informed by the fact that India knew the location of their potential semi-final well in advance of the tournament, but the fact remains that they can afford to pick three (or four) frontline spin options in a call that could well decide this game.

Double trouble: Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja

Before the World Cup started, not many had predicted that both Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja would make India's starting XI. As left-arm spin all-rounders, it seemed likely that it would be either-or. But in the American leg of the tournament, when three frontline pacers were a necessity, both of them found a place in the side as Kuldeep and Chahal sat out.

Against England, the pair of them could find great joy. There are six right-handers in the English top seven, with Moeen Ali the only southpaw. After the openers - Phil Salt strikes at 142 runs per 100 balls and Jos Buttler averages 39 at a strike rate of 135 against slow-left armers - none of those right-handers have a particularly good record against left-arm spin either. Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook strike closer to 120, and Liam Livingstone at 111.

Read more: England's top-order frailties against spin need more than just a sticking plaster

While they may not be in any particular danger of losing their wickets to Axar and Jadeja, England will have to find a way to ensure they do not get bogged down against the pair. They dealt well with West Indies' Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein on a good batting track in St. Lucia, but Axar and Jadeja on a Guyana wicket that is expected to turn is an entirely different proposition.

X-factor: Kuldeep Yadav

Left-arm wrist-spinners are relatively rare, and those of Kuldeep's quality even more so. Across the last two years he has gone from strength to strength in white- and red-ball cricket, and remains a key component of this Indian team. With figures of 2-32, 3-19 and 2-24 so far in this World Cup, he comes into this game on the back of some excellent form.

If Axar and Jadeja contain, Kuldeep makes wickets happen. England's batters actually match up quite well against left-arm wrist spin, with strike rates in excess of 150 almost across the board. However, those who have played Kuldeep frequently do not quite have the same amount of success. Moeen Ali strikes at 233 in three innings against him, but has been dismissed twice as well.

Between this record, and his left-handedness being an advantage against Axar and Jadeja, Moeen could well hold the key for England.

The Jasprit Bumrah problem

There is a knock-on effect created by India's spinners, if they execute their plans well. Three of them working in tandem to bowl 12 tight overs means England could be forced to do something they would rather not — attack Jasprit Bumrah. The usual template for batting teams against India or Mumbai Indians has been to play out Bumrah's overs with minimal damage, and go after the rest of the attack.

But if they are unable to take down the spinners, Bumrah becomes lethal. There's a small chance that England attack him and get away with it, but far more likely is the prospect of wickets tumbling in a heap. Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya can be gotten at, but there's only so much England can do by maximising four or six overs out of twenty.

It will be a tough ask, but if one of India's spinners can be taken for runs, England stand a good chance of turning India over and earning a shot at winning their third men's T20 World Cup. 

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