T20 Cricket World Cup, India vs England: Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum need prime Jos Buttler in seismic semi-final

Mumbai celebrates the Hindu festival of Holi this week.

Full of color, music, and parties, the holiday marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

On Thursday, all eyes will be on Wankhede Stadium, the famous arena in the heart of the city centre.

Thursday’s T20 World Cup semi-final between England and India will be one of the great occasions.

These two teams have met in the last four editions of this tournament, but neither has been in the spiritual home of Indian cricket.

With its small confines, flat batting track and steep terraces filled with fans in Indian Blue, Wankhede is a venue that can send even the calmest minds for a spin.

Captain Harry Brook notched two wins to become the fourth man to lead England to a World Cup win.

He said some England players were hoping this match would come in the current World Cup, because of the importance it brings.

Now we will see how prepared they are.

While a World Cup semi-final against a cricketing superpower is an earthquake in itself, this match could determine the direction of English cricket for the next two years.

Any success for England coach Brendon McCullum in this tournament has come with the caveat of a winter Ashes struggle in Australia.

The mood around the England camp has been positive – which is impressive given the burdens the campaign has brought – but there remains little certainty about McCollum’s future.

For now, it looks as if the New Zealander has found more stable ground in reaching the semi-finals, but few are speaking with conviction.

Thursday night will determine how this campaign is remembered.

Stay, be pushed or walk. All options are still possible to some extent.