Mumbai, Mar 5 : India stormed into the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating England national cricket team by seven runs in a thrilling semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
Put in to bat first, India produced a powerful batting display and posted a massive total of 253/7 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 off 42 balls, while Shivam Dube added a quick 43 to strengthen the innings.
India started aggressively in the Powerplay despite losing Abhishek Sharma early. Samson then took control of the innings, attacking the England bowlers and scoring freely during the field restrictions. He reached his half-century with a series of boundaries and sixes, keeping the scoreboard moving at a rapid pace.
Ishan Kishan also played an important role by maintaining the momentum at the other end. The pair entertained the packed crowd with a flurry of boundaries before Kishan was dismissed midway through the innings.
England bowlers managed to pick up a few wickets later, including that of Suryakumar Yadav, but India continued their aggressive approach. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma struck crucial boundaries in the death overs, helping India collect 63 runs in the final four overs to cross the 250-run mark.
Chasing a daunting target, England lost an early wicket when Phil Salt miscued a shot. Jasprit Bumrah then delivered a key breakthrough by dismissing Harry Brook with a slower ball. However, Jacob Bethell kept England in the hunt with a magnificent century, scoring 105 off just 48 balls.
Bethell attacked the Indian bowlers with confidence and stitched together important partnerships that brought England close to the target. Will Jacks also played a supporting role with a quick 35.
Despite England’s strong fightback, India held their nerve in the final overs. Bumrah bowled a crucial spell at the death, conceding only six runs in a vital over that shifted the momentum back to India. Hardik Pandya also delivered under pressure to restrict England’s scoring.
In the end, England finished on 246/7 in 20 overs, falling short by seven runs in a high-scoring contest.
With this victory, India have booked their place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face the New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad.
Brief scores:
India 253/7 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Shivam Dube 43; Will Jacks 2/40) beat England 246/7 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 105, Will Jacks 35; Hardik Pandya 2/38, Jasprit Bumrah 1/33) by 7 runs.
