India secured a seven-run victory over England in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday, booking their spot in the final. Sanju Samson delivered a stunning 89 off 42 balls, pushing India to 253 for seven after being sent in to bat.
The dramatic innings featured eight fours and seven sixes, with Samson tearing into Jofra Archer from the first over and reaching his fifty in just 23 balls.
Abhishek Sharma departed early for nine, caught off Will Jacks, but Ishan Kishan joined Samson to spark things off. Kishan fell after a quick 28, yet Samson kept the scoring rate above 12.
Suryakumar Yadav added 24 in a brisk cameo before holing out, while Shivam Dube’s muscular 43 off 17 balls lifted India to the fourth-highest total in T20 World Cup history. Hardik Pandya chipped in with 14 not out, ensuring momentum carried into the defense.
England’s reply started with promise as Phil Salt edged one to slip off Pandya’s opening delivery. Jos Buttler and Harry Brook steadied the ship, but Brook perished attempting a scoop shot against Axar Patel.
Jacob Bethell then erupted for a stunning 105 off 48 balls, forging a 90-run stand with Jacks (35 off 20). Bethell’s knock included nine sixes, pulling England within striking distance at 200 for four after 15 overs.
Tom Banton got 17 off five balls, smashing two sixes, but Jasprit Bumrah returned to send him out. Needing 48 off the last four overs, England placed their hopes on Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone.
Pandya dismissed Livingstone for 22, and in a match-defining moment, Axar ran out Bethell for his brilliant century during the penultimate over. Archer and Adil Rashid managed singles in the final six balls, but England ended at 246 for seven.
Bumrah finished with two for 32, Pandya took two for 38, and the spinners kept things tight in the middle overs.
Jacks picked two for 40, but Archer’s 61 off four overs proved costly. Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership guided India past England’s flurry of 20 sixes.
India now faces New Zealand in the final at Ahmedabad on Sunday.
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