The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi final between India national cricket team and England national cricket team was expected to be a high intensity clash, and fans anticipated a close finish at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The match delivered exactly that, as the packed Mumbai venue witnessed a run filled thriller where defending champions India secured a narrow seven run victory to book their place in the final. They will now face New Zealand national cricket team in the title clash at Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.
After India posted a formidable 253 for 7 in their 20 overs, many expected the hosts to dominate the contest. However, England mounted a strong response led by Jacob Bethell, forcing India to work hard for the win.
For the second consecutive match, Sanju Samson delivered when it mattered most, scoring a crucial 89 to anchor India’s innings in the knockout clash. He received valuable support from Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah, helping India eventually hold their nerve and seal the victory.
Chasing 254, England suffered an early setback when Phil Salt was dismissed for five by Hardik Pandya in just the second over. Jos Buttler tried to rebuild the innings but his struggles with form continued as he was clean bowled by Varun Chakaravarthy for 25.
Bethell then emerged as England’s biggest threat, counterattacking aggressively and putting India under pressure. Alongside Will Jacks, he stitched together a 77 run partnership for the fifth wicket that briefly swung momentum in England’s favour. The turning point came when Axar Patel produced a brilliant effort in the deep to dismiss Jacks for 35.
At that stage England still needed 82 runs from 36 balls with five wickets in hand. Sam Curran joined Bethell and the pair blended caution with aggression. Bethell soon reached his maiden T20 international century and kept England in the hunt.
The pressure forced Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav to bring back Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah for the crucial 17th and 18th overs. The move proved decisive as England ultimately fell short, unable to score the required 39 runs from the final two overs and losing by seven runs.
Earlier in the match, India made a strong start after being asked to bat first by England captain Harry Brook. Abhishek Sharma was dismissed early for nine by Will Jacks in the second over, but India quickly recovered.
Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan launched an aggressive counterattack, taking on bowlers such as Jofra Archer, Jamie Overton, Jacks and Sam Curran during the powerplay. England’s problems worsened when Harry Brook dropped Samson off Archer’s bowling in the third over, allowing India to maintain their momentum.
Kishan and Samson added 97 runs for the second wicket before Adil Rashid dismissed Kishan for 39. Shivam Dube then joined Samson and the pair continued to accelerate the scoring.
Samson looked set for a century but chose to play aggressively for the team’s total and was dismissed for 80 while attacking Will Jacks. Suryakumar Yadav contributed 11, while Tilak Varma scored 21. Dube made 43 and Hardik Pandya added 27 as India finished with a massive 253 for 7 in their 20 overs.
