The last time England met India in a Trent Bridge IT20, it was just four months in advance of their second crowning as World Cup winners in the format.
It’s often said that the history of the shortest format matters little - indeed, famously, no side has ever won two consecutive Vitality Blast titles in 23 years of that competition’s existence.
However, if England fans are looking for an omen at the ongoing World Cup, they could do far worse than to take note of another upcoming Trent Bridge IT20 against India in the hope that history could be repeating itself.
Given the start England have made to the Super 8s, there is now a very real, and increasing, possibility that the Three Lions could again be lifting a T20 World Cup in the same year they face India at Trent Bridge.
Four years on, if that was to happen, the timeline would be reversed on this occasion; 2022 saw the IT20 take place before the World Cup win.
However, in the spirit of omens, what would not change would be the amount of time between the Trent Bridge clash and the trophy lift: July to November in 2022, March to July in 2026.
Both would be a gap of four months, and excitingly, if England were to become the first side ever to lift three men’s T20 World Cups, fans in Nottingham would be witnessing the two most recent world champions go head-to-head in July, following India’s 2024 triumph.
England did suffer a setback in their second match at the World Cup, losing to West Indies, but that blot aside, they have an untainted record, with four wins from five.
Their most recent win, over Sri Lanka to kick-start their Super 8s campaign, was encouragingly their most comprehensive of the lot as well, earning a 51-run win.
Phil Salt contributed with 62 from 40 balls at the top of the order to help the Three Lions withstand a strong bowling display from the Sri Lankans in their home conditions in Pallekele.
Having mustered 146-9 in the face of 23-year-old Dunith Wellalage’s 3/26, England then proceeded to produce a bowling performance of their own that utterly blew Sri Lanka away.
Will Jacks shone the brightest with 3/22, but Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, and Liam Dawson all collected a further two apiece as the joint-host nation were bowled out for just 95.
The result was as comprehensive as it appeared, with more than a hint that Harry Brook’s charges are beginning to hit their straps at just the right time.
Further Super 8s meetings follow, with a clash against Pakistan on Tuesday 24th February preceding one against New Zealand on Friday 27th.
Meanwhile, it would be remiss to forgo any mention of India themselves, and they will aim to right the ship after they slipped to defeat against South Africa in their opening game.
The other two sides in their Super 8s group are Zimbabwe, whom they face on Thursday 26th February, and West Indies, whom they meet on Sunday 1st March.
Whoever does end up lifting the trophy a week later, there is now a one in four chance it will be either of the sides locking horns in Nottingham in July.
However, with England’s uptick, and interestingly-poised omens of history, it might be worth preparing for a possible homecoming of world champions when they do land at Trent Bridge.
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