Indian team did not practice before the semi-final match, you will be stunned to know the reason

T20 World Cup 2026: The Indian cricket team will face England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday, March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. This match will start at 7 pm Indian time.

The team had two days before the semi-finals to make final preparations, but on Tuesday the team postponed or rescheduled its practice session. The reason was lunar eclipse, which players consider inauspicious.

lunar eclipse time

The first lunar eclipse of the year 2026 occurred on March 3. It started at 3:20 pm and continued till 6:47 pm. In India, this eclipse was visible in the last phase at the time of moonrise (around 6:20-6:30 pm). Sutak period had started in the morning.

In Hindu tradition, some activities are considered inauspicious during eclipse. The players did not find it appropriate to practice before 6:47 pm, so the session was extended or postponed by an hour.

Team religious rituals

Team India is following many religious customs during the World Cup. Many players including captain Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir have gone to visit major temples in different cities.

They do such things before the match for auspiciousness and positive energy. They take extra precautions in events like eclipse, so that the morale of the team remains strong.

new practice session time

The practice, which was supposed to start at 6 pm at Wankhede Stadium, now took place late in the evening. According to inside sources, players and support staff are doing this to avoid the effects of the eclipse. This decision shows the unity and confidence of the team.

Many times players follow superstitions in cricket, such as wearing a particular routine or color before a match. Here also the session was changed considering the eclipse as inauspicious weather.

Preparations for semi-finals continue

Despite the eclipse, the team’s preparations have not stopped. The players are focused under the leadership of coach Gautam Gambhir. This match against England will be exciting, because both the teams are strong. India performed well in the group stage and made it to the semi-finals. It is expected that the team will show its brilliant game in Wankhede on Thursday.