KEY POINTS
- Bethell’s Sensational 105 in Vain as England Fall Just Short in Run-Fest
- India to meet New Zealand in World Cup Final on Sunday at Ahmedabad
MUMBAI, India: In a nerve-shredding encounter that had the Wankhede Stadium on the edge of their seats, India secured their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final by defeating England by 7 runs in a high-aggregate thriller on Thursday.
Defending a mammoth total of 253/7, the Men in Blue survived a sensational counter-attacking century from England’s Jacob Bethell, who smashed 105 off just 48 balls, as the English innings finished at 246/7 in a match that produced a staggering 499 runs.
A #T20WorldCup classic in Mumbai as India beat England in a nail-biter to reach the Final 🔥
📝: https://t.co/w7G9C2FaMw pic.twitter.com/kazCgeeHDs
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2026
Samson’s fireworks propel India to dominant total
Earlier in the evening, India posted their highest-ever T20 World Cup knockout total after being asked to bat first by England captain Jos Buttler.
Sanju Samson was the star of the Indian innings, playing a breathtaking knock of 89 runs off just 42 deliveries. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s innings was laced with 8 fours and 7 sixes, dominating the English pace attack with ease. He found strong support from Ishan Kishan, who contributed a rapid 39 off just 18 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.
Shivam Dube (43 off 25) and Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) kept the momentum going, while Tilak Varma provided a late flourish with 21 off just 7 balls. England’s bowlers had a tough outing, with Will Jacks and Adil Rashid picking up two wickets each, but conceding at over ten runs per over.
Bethell’s heroics ignite English chase
Chasing an improbable 254, England lost Phil Salt early, caught by Patel off Pandya for just 5. Harry Brook followed shortly after, caught by Patel off Bumrah for 7, leaving England reeling at 38/2.
But what followed was a masterclass in power-hitting from 22-year-old Jacob Bethell. The young batter launched a stunning assault on the Indian bowling, bringing up his century in just 42 balls. Bethell’s magnificent innings of 105 off 48 deliveries included 8 fours and 7 sixes, keeping England’s hopes alive against all odds.
Tom Banton provided a quick cameo of 17 off just 5 balls, while Will Jacks contributed a vital 35 off 20 to keep the required rate in check. At 172/5 after 13 overs, England were very much in the hunt.
𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 ⏳
India and New Zealand will chase ultimate glory in the #T20WorldCup Final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/L1iPOTLfbX
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2026
Indian bowlers hold nerve in tense finish
With 82 runs needed off the final 6 overs, the pendulum swung wildly. Hardik Pandya struck a crucial blow by dismissing Sam Curran (18 off 14) in the 18th over, bringing the equation to 32 off 12 balls.
Bethell continued his onslaught but finally fell in the 19th over, run out by a brilliant piece of fielding from Pandya and Samson, having single-handedly brought England within touching distance.
With 9 runs required off the final over from Arshdeep Singh, Jofra Archer smashed the first ball for a massive six, sending shockwaves through the Indian camp. However, Arshdeep held his nerve superbly, conceding just two runs off the remaining five deliveries as England finished at 246/7, falling agonisingly short by 7 runs.
𝘋𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴. 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 🤩
India are headed to Ahmedabad for the #T20WorldCup 2026 Final 👏 pic.twitter.com/C1sAey3kOM
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2026
Clinical bowling display secures victory
Hardik Pandya was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 2/38, while Jasprit Bumrah (1/33), Arshdeep Singh (1/51), Varun Chakravarthy (1/64), and Axar Patel (1/35) all chipped in with crucial wickets.
The victory sends India into the final of the T20 World Cup, where they will face New Zealand on Sunday at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
