India qualify for T20 WC final as Brook’s England fall 7 runs short despite Bethell’s 105-run heroics

MUMBAI: India have qualified for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup final after England fell just seven runs short in a thrilling second semi-final while chasing a daunting 254-run target in the IND vs ENG clash tonight.

Jacob Bethell unleashed absolute carnage with the bat, smashing a sensational 105 off 48 deliveries, laced with eight fours and seven sixes. His fearless knock kept England firmly in contention and brought the equation down to the wire. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Bethell was run out by Hardik Pandya at a crucial juncture, ending England’s biggest hope of completing the chase.

With six runs required off the final ball, England’s middle order failed to deliver the decisive blow, ultimately falling short of the target. India held their nerve under immense pressure to seal a dramatic seven-run victory and book their place in the grand finale.

Sanju Samson led India’s charge with a sensational 89 off 42 balls, featuring eight fours and seven sixes, as the team posted a massive total of 253 for 7 in 20 overs against England in the IND vs ENG semi-final.

After being asked to bat first, India sent Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma to open their innings at Wankhede Stadium. Both batters looked confident, eager to build a strong foundation. However, the first wicket fell when Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for 9 off 7 balls, with England’s Will Jacks making an early breakthrough.

India reached 55 for the loss of one wicket in the first five overs, with Samson and Ishan Kishan gaining confidence after the early setback. Kishan contributed a brisk 39 off 18 balls, featuring four fours and two sixes, before falling to Adil Rashid. Shivam Dube joined Samson at the crease, adding a vital 43 off 25 balls and providing crucial support. Their aggressive partnership laid the foundation for India’s formidable total.

Samson, after a blazing fifty off just 25 balls, continued to dominate, propelling India to 146 for two in just 12 overs. Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with 11 off 6 balls before being dismissed by Rashid, while Hardik Pandya’s explosive 27 off 12 balls and Tilak Varma’s quickfire 21 off 7 deliveries ensured the innings maintained relentless momentum. Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy remained unbeaten, seeing India through the final overs. Extras contributed 12 more runs, helping India reach an imposing 253-run target.

The highly competitive encounter saw England, under Harry Brook’s captaincy, tasked with chasing a massive total, while India, led by Samson and Suryakumar Yadav, displayed their intent to dominate. The winner of this semi-final will face New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Playing XIs

Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid