India vs England: T20 World Cup semi final report, results, highlights as hosts prevail to reach 2026 final against New Zealand
Report and highlights from India vs England at the T20 World Cup
India are a win away from successfully defending the T20 World Cup after holding off a Jacob Bethell-inspired fightback from England to claim a seven-run win in the second semi-final in Mumbai.
England had won every game in the Super 8s but their bowling attack was overpowered by a ferocious India batting line-up.
The tournament co-hosts surged to 253-7, thanks in large part to a devastating innings from Sanju Samson, who hit eight fours and seven sixes for his 89.
An INCREDIBLE catch from Axar Patel to dismiss Harry Brook 🤯#BBCCricket #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/ArmSEL3BhN
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) March 5, 2026
England appeared set for a heavy defeat when they slumped to 95-4, but a remarkable first T20I century from Bethell kept their hopes alive.
Those ambitions were extinguished during the final over when Bethell was run out following a mix-up with Jamie Overton, his 105 the highest score by any batter at the tournament.
That record will be cold comfort to the left-hander and to England, with India left to celebrate progressing to the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
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India powered by Samson strength
India lost Abhishek Sharma (9) in the second over, but his departure allowed for a pivotal second-wicket partnership of 97 between Samson and Ishan Kishan (39).
That stand would not have materialised had England captain Harry Brook not dropped a simple catch to dismiss Samson after he chipped Jofra Archer to mid-on from just the 14th delivery of the game.
Samson endured that drop would prove especially painful, and his 42-ball innings did not end until the 14th over as he finally departed to Will Jacks, who would later play a crucial role in giving England hope.
Yet by that point, the platform had been laid, and Shivam Dube (43 off 12) and Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) helped push India to an imposing total, Tilak Varma (21) also adding a key contribution as he hit three sixes in seven balls.
England fall short despite Bethell heroics
England losing by just seven runs looked unlikely after four of their top five batters departed inside the first eight overs.
Yet Bethell remained, and he produced a batting performance that belied his inexperience on a stage as daunting as a packed and raucous Wankhede Stadium.
His partnership of 77 with the impressive Jacks rebuilt the England innings. Yet, even as England edged close to a mammoth target, India continued to field brilliantly, and their star with the ball delivered when it mattered most, with Jasprit Bumrah conceding just nine runs in his final over, the 18th of the match.
Bethell received a standing ovation when he reached his 100 with a six over long-off, but Hardik tightened things up in the penultimate over thereafter, claiming the big wicket of Sam Curran to leave Bethell carrying the burden of trying to gt England over the line.
England needed 30 off the last, but their race was run with Bethell’s run out after the first ball of that over, with three sixes off the final four balls from Jofra Archer scant consolation for skipper Brook and coach Brendon McCullum.
McCullum, though, paid tribute to his side’s efforts in getting so close.
“We’re naturally disappointed, but there’s a lot to be proud of,” McCullum told Sky Sports.
Brook takes the blame
Brook, meanwhile, put the blame on himself after he failed to end the Samson innings before it had a chance to gather steam.
“I’ll hold my hands up and admit I made a big mistake dropping Samson,” Brook said.
“We weren’t good enough in the field. We misexecuted, and can’t afford to do that against India.
“Bethell was absolutely unbelievable, he’ll earn some serious money in his career. To see him taking it from ball one, he showed the world what he can do.
“We had a good tournament, we should be extremely proud of how we played. We stuck to it the whole game, unfortunately, we were on the wrong side.”
India eye historic victory
India now have a chance to become the first men’s side to successfully defend the T20 World Cup, and the first to win the competition three times.
“Unbelievable feeling. Playing in India, leading an unbelievable side,” captain Suryakumar Yadav said of his emotions upon reaching the final.
“They [England] were always in the chase, but the way the bowlers pulled the game away was unbelievable.
“You know how capable Bumrah is. We need to give credit to T Dilip, our fielding coach. Guys have been going the extra yard, that’s showing up.
“Going for the title in India, there will be pressure, but the players and support staff will be excited.”
India vs England teams
India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah
England: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Adil Rashid.
