
India edged out England by 7 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday (March 5). The thrilling high-scoring clash at Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium delivered non-stop entertainment with a staggering 499 runs and 34 sixes, as both teams traded blows in a nail-biting contest. India now advance to the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, chasing a historic third T20 World Cup title.
England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to field first, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, India's batting lineup exploded in a dominant display. Sanju Samson stole the show with a remarkable 89 off just 42 balls, anchoring the innings after being dropped by Harry Brook at 15 runs in the 3rd over. Shivam Dube's explosive 43 off 25 balls and lower-order contributions from Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma added crucial momentum. India finished at 253/7 in their 20 overs, the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup semi-final. Will Jacks was England's pick of the bowlers with 2/40.
Axar Patel emerged as a fielding hero, turning the game with two outstanding efforts. Early in England's chase, he sprinted back from extra cover and dove full-length to take a stunning overhead catch to dismiss captain Harry Brook for 7 off Jasprit Bumrah, a moment that swung momentum India's way.
Later, in the 14th over, Axar produced magic again at deep cover. He charged in, plucked a slicing shot from Will Jacks on the boundary edge while off-balance, and cleverly tossed the ball to Shivam Dube before tumbling over the rope. The relay catch ended Jacks' dangerous 35 and broke a 77-run stand, keeping India's nerves intact.
England's chase was powered by young sensation Jacob Bethell's maiden T20 World Cup century, a breathtaking 105 off 48 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes). He kept England alive with fearless hitting, reaching his ton with a six off Hardik Pandya. However, drama struck in the final over, bowled by Shivam Dube. Bethell pushed for a risky second run after a straight drive but was brilliantly run out by a sharp relay from Hardik Pandya at long-off to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. The dismissal at 225/6 left England needing 29 off the last 5 balls, ultimately sealing their fate despite late fireworks from Jofra Archer.
The game lived up to the hype of a much-awaited T20 World Cup semi-final between these arch-rivals. Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his match-defining knock.
India's victory sets up a blockbuster final against New Zealand, who advanced from the first semi-final. The Black Caps registered an easy win over South Africa by 9 wickets to seal their berth in the summit clash.
With home advantage and momentum, the Men in Blue will aim to defend their crown and etch their name in history once more.
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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