T20 World Cup 2026, Semi-Final 2, IND vs ENG: India knock out England to storm into a record fourth T20 World Cup final.
Brief Scores: IND 253/7 (Sanju Samson 89, Shivam Dube 43, Will Jacks 2/40) beat ENG 246/7 (Jacob Bethell 105, Hardik Pandya 2/38) by 7-runs.
Player of the Match: Sanju Samson
A sensational knock from Sanju Samson carried Team India to their semifinal of the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 as they knocked out West Indies in a virtual quarter-final. On the other hand, England continued their dominance with three successive wins in the Super 8 clash. Both sides met each other for the second semifinal at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
It was the third straight T20 WC campaign with an India-England semifinal. On the previous two occasions, the winner of the match went on to lift the trophy. There was a little bit more grass on the surface with the groundsmen cross-rolling it. The square boundaries were nearly the same, 65 metres, with the straight boundary being 75 metres.
England captain, Harry Brook, won the toss and decided to bowl first on a good surface. They brought back Jamie Overton in place of Rehan Ahmed while the hosts retained the same playing eleven.
Talking point: Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya’s 18th and 19th overs
When Jasprit Bumrah started the 18th over, England needed 45 runs in 18 balls, and the right-arm pacer conceded only four singles and one double. That increased the pressure. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, after being smashed for a first-ball six in the penultimate over, gave away only three singles.
Moreover, Hardik dismissed Sam Curran. Those two overs of 1/15 shifted the momentum and allowed Shivam Dube to bowl the last over without much pressure.
Sanju Samson’s 89 shoulders India to 253/7
India perhaps saved their best batting performance so far of the World Cup 2026 campaign for the semifinal. Sanju Samson restarted from where he left off in Kolkata and didn’t slow down at any stage as the hosts smashed 67/1 in the powerplay. Along with Samson’s 89 runs off 42 balls, the middle order, including Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube, contributed massively.
Towards the end, Hardik Pandya gave them the finishing touch with his 27 runs in 12 balls. The Blue Brigade added 76 runs in the last five overs and ended with 253/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Read More: T20 WC 2026: India’s batting lineup has failed to fire together apart from the game against Zimbabwe
India hold their nerves, reach final despite Jacob Bethell’s 105
England didn’t make a great start, losing Phil Salt and Brook inside the first five overs of the chase. Jos Buttler’s struggling 25-run knock didn’t last long either. But, Jacob Bethell came with an aggressive approach as he nailed Varun Chakravarthy for three successive sixes. The southpaw celebrated his fifty in just 19 balls.
England continued their onslaught. Will Jacks contributed a vital 35-run knock in 20 balls, but Jacob Bethell was on a different level. He celebrated his century in just 45 balls. But, that was not enough as India pulled things back at the death. Ultimately, they marched into the final with a seven-run victory.
Statistical highlights from IND vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinal 2
- In the T20 WC 2026, Abhishek Sharma has been dismissed twice against the off-spinners. The southpaw averages only 11.5 against this type of bowlers.
- India’s 253-7 is now the highest team score in a knock out match in T20 World Cup history.
- Abhishek Sharma has made just 89 runs in 7 innings so far at an average of 12.71. It is the fourth-lowest average for a top 7 batter in T20 World Cup 2026. (Min 5 innings played).
- Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan added 97 runs for the second wicket in 7.3 overs (RR of 12.93). This is the fourth-fastest fifty-plus stand for any wicket for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
- In the T20 WC 2026, Ishan Kishan has been dismissed six times in as many innings against the spinners at an average of just 18.8.
- Sanju Samson (89) overtakes Johnson Charles (84) to score the second-highest individual score against England as opener in the T20 WCs.
- Adil Rashid joins Adam Zampa to become the joint second-highest wicket-taker (44) in Men’s T20 World Cup history.
- Sanju Samson had an average of 8.33 against Jofra Archer in T20Is, going into this match. But the former clubbed 38 runs off 14 balls against the latter on Thursday without getting dismissed.
- India (88) overtook West Indies (76) to register the most sixes in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
- Jofra Archer conceded 61 runs in his four overs, taking 1 wicket. This is the third-costliest completed 4-over spell in ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
- Varun Chakravarthy has dismissed Jos Buttler four times in T20Is. The England batter has managed an average of 4.8 against the leg spinner.
What’s to come
With the win, India have qualified for their second consecutive final of the Men’s T20 World Cup. They will be up against New Zealand on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Top Twitter/X Reactions from IND vs ENG, Semi-Final, T20 World Cup 2026
So many crucial little performances for India. Tilak Varma at the end, Hardik Pandya everywhere, Axar sensational in the field…. But the diamond that is forever is Jasprit Bumrah.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2026
Heck of a century by Bethel!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 5, 2026
A star is born! Well played Jacob Bethell 👏 #INDvENG #T20WorldCup26 pic.twitter.com/V2UXeMnp2j
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 5, 2026
In a 500 runs game, my Man of the match is Jasprit Bumrah. Economy of 8.25. HE WAS THE DIFFERENCE.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 5, 2026
100 in all 3 formats .. Incredible Jacob bethel .. Finn Allen last night and now this .. #ICCMensT20WorldCup
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 5, 2026
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