PROVIDENCE, Guyana (AFP)— India were 65-2 off eight overs after losing the toss when rain stopped play in their T20 World Cup semi-final against champions England in Guyana on Thursday.

In-form India captain Rohit Sharma, fresh from his blistering 92 in a victory over Australia, was 37 not out off 26 balls, including six fours.

Suryakumar Yadav was unbeaten on 13 in a match whose start was delayed by a pre-game downpour.

Both Rohit and Virat Kohli struggled initially to time the ball on a Providence Stadium pitch much slower and lower than the one in St Lucia, where Rohit flayed Australia’s attack.

And Kohli’s miserable tournament with the bat continued when he fell for nine.

It looked as if the star batsman was finding his touch when he pulled Reece Topley for six.

But two balls later, with Kohli aiming across the line, left-arm quick Topley knocked over the leg stump to leave India 19-1 in the third over.

Kohli has now scored just 75 runs in seven innings at the tournament at an average of 10.71.

England, who overpowered India by 10 wickets in the 2022 semi-final in Adelaide, had another success when Rishabh Pant was out for just four after chipping Sam Curran to midwicket.

But Rohit, displaying the range of his strokeplay, hit two fours in three balls off leg-spinner Adil Rashid — a reverse sweep followed by a conventional sweep.

Wednesday’s first semi-final in Trinidad, in which South Africa thrashed Afghanistan by nine wickets, had a reserve day set aside in the event of rain.

But the England v India game, taking place during a traditionally wet period of the year, has only 250 minutes of extra time set aside to ensure a result.

A 10 overs-per-side match is required for a result in the knockout stage, with India, like South Africa, yet to lose in the tournament.

But if the game is washed out, India will play South Africa in Saturday’s final in Barbados as a result of topping their Super Eights group.