India rolled into T20 World Cup 2026 final after edging past England by seven runs in the nervy semifinal at the Wankhede stadium on March 5. India first rode on Sanju Samson's cracking 89 to post a record total of 253/7.
India survive late England scare, seal final spot with 7-run win
In reply, England almost gave India a scare, but lost the match in the end by seven runs despite Jacob Bethell's gutsy 105-run knock. India will now face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final on March 8, Sunday at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
Jacob Bethell's heroic century goes in vain
Faced with a daunting target of 254, England’s chase stumbled early when Hardik Pandya dismissed the dangerous Phil Salt for just 5 in the second over. Jos Buttler, struggling through a prolonged lean patch, attempted to find his rhythm with a few aggressive strokes, but his frustrating innings ended at 25 when Varun Chakaravarthy cleaned him up. While the top order struggled, it was Jacob Bethell who emerged as an unexpected threat, playing a fearless brand of cricket that briefly turned the tide and gave the Indian camp a genuine scare.
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The momentum shifted significantly during a clinical 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Bethell and Will Jacks. For a stretch, the pair seemed capable of pulling off an improbable heist until Axar Patel produced a moment of brilliance in the deep to dismiss Jacks for 35. Following Jacks' departure, England required 82 runs from the final six overs with five wickets remaining. Sam Curran then joined Bethell, who continued his relentless assault to reach a maiden T20I century, keeping England within touching distance of the target.
As the match tightened, Suryakumar Yadav made a decisive tactical move by exhausting the overs of his frontline seamers, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah, in the 17th and 18th overs. This gamble paid off by choking the run flow and leaving England with too much to do in the final stages. Ultimately, the visitors fell short of the 39 runs needed off the last two overs, allowing India to escape with a thrilling seven-run victory and secure their place in the final.
Sanju Samson delivers with the bat again
Earlier, Sanju Samson continued his blistering run of form in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, anchoring India to a monumental total of 253/7 in their semifinal clash against England. Following up on his spectacular unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, the wicketkeeper-batter delivered another masterclass in power-hitting at the Wankhede Stadium. His 89 off 42 deliveries was the cornerstone of the innings, as he effectively dismantled the English bowling attack with a relentless display of aggression.
The Indian innings was a story of high-octane partnerships, with Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube providing vital support to Samson. Kishan played a brisk cameo of 39 from just 18 balls, while Dube showcased his trademark muscle with a 25-ball 43 that included four massive sixes. While England’s bowlers managed to claw back some momentum with late wickets to prevent an even higher total, the damage dealt by the top and middle order had already set a record-breaking tone for the match.
Samson’s intent was clear from the very first over, where he launched Jofra Archer for a boundary and a six on consecutive deliveries. Despite the early loss of his opening partner Abhishek Sharma, who struggled for 9 runs, Samson remained in "fourth gear" throughout his stay. His ability to manipulate the field was on full display as he peppered the boundary in every direction, ultimately finishing with eight fours and seven sixes in a performance that left the England bowlers searching for answers.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl, England captain Harry Brook saw his side make an early breakthrough by dismissing Abhishek Sharma with just 20 runs on the board. However, the momentum could have shifted even further in England's favor had Brook not dropped a straightforward chance from Sanju Samson in the third over. Samson miscued a full-length delivery from Jofra Archer toward mid-on, but Brook appeared indecisive, allowing the ball to spill from his hands and giving the dangerous batter a massive reprieve.
Following that life, Samson took full advantage and launched a relentless assault on the English attack. He treated both pace and spin with equal disdain, taking Jofra Archer for 26 runs across his first two overs and dispatching bowlers like Sam Curran and Liam Dawson over the boundary. His power-hitting was on full display as he showcased his range, carving a slower ball from Archer over backward point and pumping Jamie Overton for a straight six.
Samson reached his second consecutive half-century of the tournament in just 26 balls, anchoring a dominant 97-run partnership with Ishan Kishan. The duo was particularly destructive in the eighth and ninth overs, plundering 39 runs collectively from Dawson and Curran. Though Samson eventually fell for a brilliant 89 off 42 balls—caught by Phil Salt off Will Jacks while attempting another big hit—he had already laid a formidable foundation for the hosts.
Despite the strong start, India's momentum flickered toward the end of the innings. Captain Suryakumar Yadav was restricted to just 11 runs, and a costly mix-up with Hardik Pandya resulted in the run-out of a well-set Shivam Dube for 43. However, a late cameo from Tilak Varma, who smashed two sixes in a brief 7-ball stay, pushed India to a commanding total of 253/7, leaving England with a daunting mountain to climb.