India beat England by 7 runs in a thrilling T20 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Mumbai, March 5, 2026: In a high-scoring semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, India posted a record 253/7 in 20 overs and defeated England by a narrow margin of seven runs in a nail-biting finish.

Brilliant last over bowing from Jaspreet Bumrah, Arsdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya in the final four overs sealed the victory.

Samson’s 89 powers India to 253:  

After winning the toss, England opted to field first on what appeared to be a batting-friendly surface.

India opened with Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. While Samson looked in sublime touch from the outset, Abhishek struggled for rhythm and was dismissed for 9 by Will Jacks.

Ishan Kishan walked in at Number 3 and continued his impressive form. He stitched together a crucial 97-run partnership with Samson.

Kishan smashed 39 of 18 balls before falling to Adil Rashid, with Jacks taking the catch.

Promoted up the order, Shivam Dube kept up the momentum, hitting four sixes.

Meanwhile, Samson unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, reaching 89 of 42 balls before being caught by Phil Salt of Jacks’ bowling. He was later named player of the match.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav managed just 11 before departing. Hardik Pandya then joined Dube, and the pair accelerated the innings in the last overs.

Dube was run out by Harry Brook while attempting a quick single.

Tilak Verma provided a blistering cameo, scoring 21 of just 7 balls, including three sixes.

Pandya finished 27 of 12 deliveries as India amassed 253/7, one of their highest T20 totals.

England’s brave chase falls short:

Chasing 254, England began positively with Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, but Salt was dismissed early by Hardik Pandya for 5 in the second over of the inning.

Harry Brook also fell cheaply for 7 runs, putting England under pressure.

However, Jacob Bethell produced a sensational counterattack. Taking on the Indian bowlers, especially Varun Chakravarthy. Bethell played a stunning knock of 105 off 45 balls, smashing seven sixes and eight fours.

Bethell and Will Jacks revived the chase, scoring briskly and keeping England in contention.

Will Jacks was eventually dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in a spectacular fielding effort involving Axar Patel. Axar Patel sprinted along the extra-cover boundary, grabbed the catch and tossed it back just before crossing the ropes, allowing Shivam Dube to complete the dismissal.

Despite Bethell’s heroics, England finished at 246/7 in 20 overs, falling short by seven runs.

India’s composure in the final overs proves decisive. Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Hardik executed their plans perfectly under pressure to restrict England in the closing stages.

With this thrilling victory, India stormed into the final and will meet New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Also Read: India, with Sanju Samson’s match-winning knock, defeated West Indies in the crucial T20 World Cup match.

EOM.