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• Rohit blasts Inzamam's reverse-swing questions as India prepare for England semi-final

  Rohit Sharma blasted questioning over India's ability to find significant reverse swing as he looked ahead to Thursday's T20 World Cup semi-final against England.

  India captain Rohit hit back at former Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq after questioning how Rahul Dravid's side found swing in their Super 8s meeting with Australia.

  Inzamam had referenced Arshdeep Singh's ability to move the white ball in the 15th over against Australia, suggesting "some serious work was done on the ball".

  Speaking at Wednesday's pre-match press conference, Rohit responded: "Wickets are so dry, all teams are getting reverse [swing]. 

  "[You] need to open your mind sometimes. This is not Australia."

  After launching a staunch defence of his India team-mates, Rohit urged his side to play the team and not the situation against England.

  England thrashed India by 10 wickets in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals of the same competition the last time this pair met.

  "We want to treat this as a normal game," Rohit added. "We don't want to be talking about that it is a semi-final.

  "We are enjoying each other's company and we need to carry on. It is a knockout game. If you think too much [about it], it doesn't help.

  "Honestly not a lot has changed since 2022. We have tried to play with a free mind, T20 and ODIs as well. It all depends on the conditions which have been challenging throughout the tournament here.

  "We want to be a smart cricket team. I have kept things simple personally and for the players as well. We have done well with role clarity and rely on the players making good decisions on the field.

  "Everyone knows they need to get the job done. We don't need to change from 2022 to 2024."

  As for India's line-up, and the potential of fielding four spin bowlers, Rohit insists the pitch will dictate selection matters.

  "We will see, assess the conditions and then take a call on four spinners," he continued. "We will see."

  Regardless of that decision, Rohit urged his side to keep their cool when it matters.

  "It is important to stay cool and calm," the opening batter said. "Staying calm has worked for me over the years. Sometimes you can lose your cool as well.

  "I am happy to let you do what you want but if it is at the cost of the team then I wo'’t let it happen. Indian cricket teams are always under pressure. Most of the guys are used to it."

• England must 'throw first punch' against India, says Mott

  Matthew Mott has urged England to "throw the first punch" when they meet India in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup on Thursday.

  England have had a turbulent tournament so far. After a slow start that saw a washout against Scotland and a defeat to Australia, Mott's side have shown glimpses of their best.

  They bounced back from defeat to South Africa in the Super 8s with a superb 10-wicket victory over co-hosts USA to book their place in the semi-final – a repeat of the one in 2022 against India.

  But with England's performances growing stronger throughout the tournament, Mott is hopeful his team can come out on the front foot.

  "We haven't quite clicked as a whole unit yet," said Mott.

  "Bits and pieces have worked at different times, but our 'A-game' is certainly enough to match with India.

  "We've had to play some ugly cricket at times. But from here on in, it's time to be the frontrunners.

  "It's time to more or less throw the first punch at India and then try to get our nose in front and never give it back."

  In the semi-finals two years ago, England cruised to a 10-wicket victory after India, who only managed to get 168-6 as they were caught within 16 overs.

  However, they have enjoyed their World Cup campaign so far, which included an impressive 24-run win over Australia in the Super 8s on Monday.

  Mott knows they are in for a different test this time around, but he is sure his team are up to the task.

  "We're not looking back at all with this group," he added. "One of its big mantras is staying present.

  "They are a different team, too, than when we took them on.

  "We've had to fight our way through this tournament, and it's something that's galvanised us as a group and will hold us in really good stead for cut-throat matches."

• Afy Fletcher takes four as West Indies Women level T20 series with six-wicket triumph over Sri Lanka in second T20I

  The West Indies Women secured their first victory of the tour in Sri Lanka with a convincing six-wicket win in the second T20 International on Wednesday. The win, achieved via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, saw the West Indies chase down a revised target of 99 runs with nine balls to spare, leveling the three-match T20I series 1-1.

  After rain interrupted play in Hambantota, the West Indies were set a DLS-adjusted target of 99 runs in 15 overs. The chase was anchored by Stafanie Taylor, who scored an unbeaten 28 off 26 balls, ensuring her team stayed ahead of the DLS-par score throughout the innings.

  Captain Hayley Matthews and Taylor got the visitors off to an ideal start, putting together a 44-run opening partnership in just 6.5 overs. Matthews, who scored 29 runs, fell to an arm ball from Sachini Nisansala, but her solid start provided a foundation for the West Indies' chase. Taylor then took control, forming a crucial 18-ball 24-run second-wicket partnership with Shemaine Campbelle, who contributed a quickfire 16 off 13 balls.

  Despite the subsequent dismissals of Campbelle, Qiana Joseph, and Chedean Nation, the required run rate remained manageable, thanks to the positive approach of the West Indies batters. Aaliyah Alleyne sealed the victory with three boundaries off Kavisha Dilhari in the penultimate over, extinguishing any hopes of a Sri Lankan comeback.

  

  Earlier in the match, Afy Fletcher played a pivotal role in restricting Sri Lanka to 89 for 4 in 15.2 overs before rain halted their innings. Fletcher's impressive figures of 4 for 23 included crucial wickets that derailed the hosts' innings. Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne had given Sri Lanka a steady start with a 44-run opening partnership, but their efforts came at a conservative pace, just under a run a ball.

  Fletcher's breakthrough came when she spun one past Athapaththu, disturbing her stumps and halting her at 26 runs. Gunaratne, who labored for 24 runs off 35 balls, was trapped lbw by a Fletcher googly in the 14th over. Fletcher's earlier dismissals of Imesha Dulani, who was bowled while attempting a sweep, and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who top-edged a delivery, had already put Sri Lanka on the back foot.

  Kavisha Dilhari showed some promise of a late counterattack, scoring 14 not out off just six balls, including two boundaries, but the rain brought an abrupt end to Sri Lanka's innings, leaving them with an incomplete total.

  With this victory, the West Indies Women not only leveled the series but also gained crucial momentum heading into the final T20I.