WC T20: Wankhede not a lucky venue for India in semi-finals

Mumbai, March 31: Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men will take on the West Indies in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday (March 31).

Photos; 10 facts about Ind-WI semis

The winners will play England, who beat New Zealand in the first semi-final on Wednesday, at Kolkata on Sunday (April 3). [Preview: India vs WI]

However, history shows Mumbai is not a very suitable semi-final venue for India. Twice in the past did India lose in the semi-final of major tournaments in this same ground though it won the final of the 2011 World Cup here against Sri Lanka to win the second title. [England beat NZ to reach finals after 6 years]

Kapil Dev's India lost to England in WC semifinal at Mumbai in 1987

Speaking about the semi-finals that India have lost at the Wankhede in the past, the first was the sem-final of the 1987 Reliance World Cup. As the defending champions, India were favourites to make the final but lost to England at the Wankhede by 35 runs. Powered by Graham Gooch's 115, the visitors posted 254 and then bowled out the hosts for 219. Skipper Kapil Dev lost his captaincy after this loss.

Srikkanth's India lost to Windies in Nehru Cup semis at Mumbai in 1989

The second instance came in the semif-final of the six-side Nehru Cup. This time, India were skittled out for 165 by the West Indies at the sme venue and the latter won the match with 8 wickets to spare. The captaincy of Srikkanth did not last long after that loss either.

In both 1987 and 1989, the final was played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, just like it is this year and the teams that beat India in the semi-final lost the final.

The other major semi-final that India lost on home soil was against Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup at Kolkata. They, however, won the semi-finals of the Hero Cup against South Africa at Kolkata in 1993 and of the 2011 World Cup against Pakistan at Mohali in 2011.

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