In what will be held up as the greatest knockout match in T20 history, India narrowly beat a fierce chase from England to secure a 7-run victory in the second semi-final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. The victory is India’s second successive visit to the T20 World Cup final, to which they will meet New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
Samson’s Masterclass Influences the Mood
After being put in to bat by England captain Harry Brook, India’s innings turned into one of brutal display of power-hitting. Sanju Samson was the unquestionable centrepiece: he smashed 89 runs off just 42 balls, including 7 giant sixes.
Samson secured capable help from Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and Shivam Dube (43 off 25), and India had set a record 253/7 — the very highest in a T20 World Cup knockout game in history. Late cameo appearances from Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) ensured that the scoreboard continued ticking even as England’s Will Jacks and Adil Rashid all attempted to halt things with two wickets each.
The Bethell Scare
England's answer was unrivaled. Despite losing early wickets to the guile of Varun Chakaravarthy and Jasprit Bumrah, young sensation Jacob Bethell found the Three Lions in the hunt.
Bethell scored the first century of his career, ending with a 45-ball strike that silenced the Wankhede crowd. His combination with Will Jacks (35) and the likes of Sam Curran (18) brought the game down to 39 runs from the last two overs.
Death Over Drama
And the 19th over, bowled by Hardik Pandya, was a turning point. Pandya gave up just 9 runs and cut Sam Curran out of the final six balls, leaving England wanting 30.
Shivam Dube was faced with his task against the set Bethell. However, a sensational handling by Hardik Pandya in the deep left Bethell run out on 105. With the main danger removed, England finished at 246/7.
What’s Next?
India would then move on to the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad to face New Zealand in the Grand Final on Sunday. After losing to the Kiwis in the 2021 WTC Final, the Men in Blue will be searching for redemption on the biggest stage of all.
