The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 witnessed an epic Semi Final 2 between India and England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 5. India won a nail-biting thriller by just 7 runs after posting a massive 253/7. Sanju Samson smashed 89 off 42 balls and earned the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock.
Jacob Bethell played one of the greatest T20 World Cup innings, scoring 105 off 48 balls, but it was not enough. England needed 32 runs off the last 2 overs, but India’s bowlers held their nerve. Hardik Pandya dismissed Bethell in the 20th over to seal the victory for India.
Match Summary: IND vs ENG Semi Final 2
Here is the complete match summary of this thrilling semi-final:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| India Score | 253/7 (20 overs) |
| England Score | 246/7 (20 overs) |
| Match Result | India won by 7 runs |
| Best Batting (IND) | Sanju Samson – 89 off 42 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Best Batting (ENG) | Jacob Bethell – 105 off 48 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (IND) | Hardik Pandya – 2/38 in 4 overs (Econ: 9.50) |
| Best Bowling (ENG) | Will Jacks – 2/40 in 4 overs (Econ: 10.00) |
| Player of the Match | Sanju Samson (IND) |
India Innings: 253/7 in 20 Overs
India came out all guns blazing at Wankhede. They raced to 50 in just 27 balls and ended the powerplay at 67/1. Abhishek Sharma fell for 9 but Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan tore into England’s bowling. Samson reached his fifty off just 26 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes.
Kishan smashed 39 off 18 balls before Adil Rashid dismissed him. Samson continued his assault and put on a stunning 97-run stand with Kishan for the second wicket in just 47 balls. India crossed 100 in 8.3 overs and 150 in 12.4 overs. Samson fell for 89 off 42 balls while trying to accelerate further.
Shivam Dube smashed 43 off 25 balls with 4 sixes. Hardik Pandya added a quick 27 off 12 balls, and Tilak Varma hit 21 off just 7 balls at a strike rate of 300. India crossed 200 in the 17th over and 250 in the final over. The run rate of 12.65 put enormous pressure on England. Jofra Archer went for 61 runs in his 4 overs.
England Chase: 246/7 in 20 Overs
England needed 254 to reach the final and started aggressively. Phil Salt fell for 5 in the second over to Hardik Pandya. Captain Harry Brook made just 7 before Bumrah got him. Jos Buttler hit 25 off 17 balls, but Varun Chakravarthy dismissed him. England were 64/3 at the end of the powerplay but had scored 68 runs.
Jacob Bethell then played the innings of his life. He reached his fifty off just 19 balls with 3 fours and 5 sixes. Tom Banton smashed 17 off 5 balls before Axar Patel got him. Will Jacks added 35 off 20 balls in a crucial 77-run partnership with Bethell. England crossed 100 in 8.1 overs and 150 in 12.2 overs.
Bethell brought up his century off just 45 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes. Sam Curran made 18 off 14 balls. England needed 32 off the last 2 overs. Bethell fell for 105 in the 20th over when Pandya ran him out. Jofra Archer hit 3 sixes in the final over, but England fell 7 runs short. India held their nerve to book their place in the final.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Sanju Samson Shines
The Indian opener delivered a match-winning knock in the biggest game:
With the bat: 89 off 42 balls (8 fours, 7 sixes)
Strike rate: 211.90
Samson set the tone for India’s massive total with his explosive hitting. His 97-run partnership with Ishan Kishan gave India the platform to post 253. Despite Bethell’s heroics, those extra runs from Samson’s bat proved to be the difference. India will now face the winner of Semi Final 1 in the title clash.
