India secured a thrilling seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, thanks to a blazing knock by Sanju Samson and a disciplined bowling performance. The high-scoring encounter was played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.
With this victory, India have advanced to the tournament’s final, where they will face New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
India Post Massive Total
After being asked to bat first by England captain Harry Brook, India posted a formidable total of 253/7 in their 20 overs.
India’s innings did not begin ideally, as opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed early for nine runs by Will Jacks in the second over with the scoreboard reading 20.
However, the setback did little to slow India’s momentum. The partnership between Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson quickly turned the tide. The duo added an impressive 97 runs for the second wicket in just 44 deliveries, putting England under pressure early in the match.
Kishan played an aggressive cameo, scoring 39 runs off only 18 balls before being dismissed by veteran spinner Adil Rashid.
Samson, however, continued his outstanding form with the bat. The right-handed opener produced a stunning innings of 89 runs from 42 balls, smashing eight fours and seven sixes. His explosive batting laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.
Samson later built a 43-run partnership with all-rounder Shivam Dube before eventually being dismissed by Jacks in the 14th over.
India suffered another setback soon after when captain Suryakumar Yadav was stumped by Rashid after scoring 11 off six deliveries.
Despite the brief slump, India maintained a strong scoring rate. Dube added valuable runs with a brisk 43 off 25 balls, including four sixes and one four, before being run out due to a mix-up.
Towards the end of the innings, powerful cameos from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma ensured a dominant finish. Pandya scored 27 runs while Varma contributed 21, and the pair added a quick 24-run partnership to push India beyond the 250-run mark.
For England, Jacks and Rashid were the most successful bowlers with two wickets each, while Jofra Archer claimed one.
Bethell’s Century in Vain
Chasing a daunting target of 254, England fought hard but ultimately fell just short, finishing on 246/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
England’s run chase began poorly as they lost opener Phil Salt for five and captain Brook for seven within the first five overs, leaving them struggling at 38/2.
The innings was then revived by Jacob Bethell, who delivered a magnificent batting performance under pressure. Bethell first added 26 runs with Jos Buttler, who scored 25 off 17 balls before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy.
England suffered another blow when Axar Patel bowled Tom Banton for 17 after the batter had struck two consecutive sixes, reducing England to 95/4.
Bethell then found strong support from all-rounder Jacks. The pair added 77 runs in just 39 deliveries for the fifth wicket, keeping England firmly in contention. Jacks played a quick knock of 35 runs from 20 balls, hitting four boundaries and two sixes before being dismissed in the 14th over.
Bethell continued to fight and later shared a 50-run partnership with Sam Curran, who scored 18 runs off 14 balls before being dismissed by Pandya in the penultimate over.
The England batter completed a brilliant century but was run out on the first ball of the final over after scoring a superb 105 from just 48 deliveries, which included eight fours and seven sixes.
Despite his heroic effort, England could not cross the finish line.
India’s Bowlers Hold Their Nerve
India’s bowling attack remained composed under pressure in the closing stages of the match.
Pandya was the most effective bowler for India, taking two wickets for 38 runs in his four overs. Chakravarthy, Patel, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah each picked up one wicket to help restrict England.
The thrilling victory sends India into the final of the tournament, where they will face New Zealand in what promises to be another high-intensity clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
