India defeated England by seven runs in a thrilling semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. The win sends India into their second straight final, where they will face New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
In a match filled with runs, the two teams scored a combined 499 runs, the highest total in a men’s T20 World Cup match. India posted a huge total of 253 for 7 before restricting England to 246 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Samson leads India to a massive total.
India’s big score was built around a powerful innings from Sanju Samson. The right-hand batter scored 89 runs from just 42 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes.
Samson started attacking from the first over, hitting consecutive boundaries off Jofra Archer. He was dropped early on 15 by England captain Harry Brook and made the most of the chance.
He reached his half-century in only 26 balls and kept the pressure on the England bowlers. Samson also built a quick 97-run partnership with Ishan Kishan, who scored 39 from 18 balls.
Later in the innings, Shivam Dube added 43 from 25 balls while Hardik Pandya made 27 from 12. Tilak Varma also played a short but quick knock of 21 from seven balls.
India struck 19 sixes and 18 fours during the innings to reach the huge total. Will Jacks took two wickets for England while Archer had a difficult outing, giving away 61 runs in his four overs.
Bethell keeps England in the fight.
Chasing a target of 254, England started with aggressive intent but lost early wickets. Pandya removed Phil Salt while Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Brook soon after.
Despite the setbacks, Jacob Bethell produced a brilliant innings to keep England in the contest. The left-handed batter smashed 105 runs from 48 balls and reached his half-century in just 19 balls.
Bethell found support from Jacks, who scored 35 from 20 balls. Their partnership brought England back into the match and kept the chase alive deep into the innings.
Indiaholdsd nerve in final overs
England still needed 69 runs from the last five overs with five wickets remaining. However, India managed to control the scoring in the final stages.
Bumrah bowled two tight overs that went for only 14 runs, which helped India regain control of the match. Pandya and Dube then defended 39 runs in the final two overs to seal the victory.
The win takes India into their fourth T20 World Cup final. They will now face New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as they look to defend their title and create history.
