India produced a breathtaking performance at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday night, defeating England by 7 runs in a nail-biting T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal to book their place in the final. Sanju Samson was the star of the show, smashing a scintillating 89 off 42 balls to anchor India’s imposing total of 253 for 7.
India’s Brilliant Batting
Put into bat by England captain Harry Brook, India made full use of the batting-friendly Wankhede surface. Sanju Samson (89 off 42) put on a blistering display of power hitting, supported by valuable contributions from Ishan Kishan (42 off 28), Shivam Dube (35 off 18), Tilak Varma (28 off 14), and Hardik Pandya (24 off 10). India’s 253/7 in 20 overs was their second highest total ever in a T20 World Cup match. Hardik was run out off the final ball, denying India their highest T20 WC score by just 3 runs.
Jacob Bethell’s Heroic Century in Vain
England mounted a stunning chase led by 22-year-old Jacob Bethell’s magnificent 105 off 48 balls – one of the greatest innings in T20 World Cup history. Bethell single-handedly kept England in the hunt throughout the chase. However, outstanding death bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, combined with a brilliant run-out by Axar Patel to dismiss Bethell for 105 when England needed 29 off 5 overs, sealed India’s victory. England finished at 246/7, falling 7 runs short.
India’s Road to the Final
India has been imperious throughout the T20 World Cup 2026, winning all their matches with a balanced squad under captain Suryakumar Yadav’s dynamic leadership. The team has excelled in all departments – batting depth, pace bowling led by Bumrah, and sharp fielding. This is India’s fourth T20 World Cup final – they won in 2007 and 2024, and were runners-up in 2014.
India vs New Zealand Final on March 8
India will now face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final on March 8, 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad – the world’s largest cricket stadium. New Zealand defeated South Africa in the first semifinal in Kolkata. This will be New Zealand’s second T20 WC final (they were runners-up in 2021) and India’s fourth. India have never lost against New Zealand in a T20 World Cup league stage match, but New Zealand have beaten India in knockout clashes – in 2007, 2016, and 2021. The final promises to be an epic contest before a record crowd at the 132,000-capacity stadium.