Mumbai, March 5 (NationPress) Sanju Samson delivered an outstanding performance with his second consecutive half-century, propelling India to a formidable score. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya then curtailed a fierce England side, led by Jacob Bethell's remarkable century, ultimately securing a spot for the defending champions in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai this Thursday.

Samson's explosive knock of 89 runs off just 42 balls was complemented by crucial partnerships with Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube, enabling India to set a challenging total of 253/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Bethell kept England in contention with a stunning 105 off 48 balls (including 8 fours and 7 sixes), showcasing aggressive batting even as wickets tumbled around him.

Facing a steep target, England required 45 runs in the final three overs, with Bethell and Sam Curran building momentum. However, Bumrah's exceptional 18th over, which yielded only six runs, was pivotal. Pandya followed suit, conceding nine runs and claiming a wicket, leaving England needing 30 runs from the last six balls. Bethell was dismissed on the first delivery of the 20th over, igniting jubilation in the stands. England finished with 246/7, handing India a narrow seven-run victory and a place in the final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

As India aims to be the first nation to defend their T20 World Cup title, Thursday's performance indicates that New Zealand will need a remarkable effort to overcome them.

England began their chase of 254 runs in aggressive fashion, reaching 68/3 during the Power-play. Phil Salt (5) and Harry Brook were dismissed early, with Brook falling victim to a spectacular catch by Axar Patel off Bumrah, marking the pacer's 500th international wicket.

Varun Chakravarthy struck next, bowling out Jos Buttler (25 off 17, 4x4, 1x6) at the end of the sixth over, leaving England at 64/3.

Bethell continued to dominate from the other end, reaching his fifty off just 19 balls, hitting three fours and five sixes in an exhibition of power-hitting. He launched a six off Bumrah, followed by a trio of sixes off Chakravarthy in the sixth over, and consistently found the boundary to propel England past 100 runs.

Despite Tom Banton's brief explosive innings of sixes off Axar Patel, he was dismissed for 17 off five balls, leaving England at 95/5. Nevertheless, Bethell remained a force, forming a 77-run partnership with Will Jacks, who contributed 35 runs off 20 balls (4x4, 2x6). Although Bethell's wicket brought relief to the Indian fans, England continued to lead at crucial milestones until Bumrah and Pandya turned the match around.

Earlier, after losing the toss, India opted to bat first and lost Abhishek Sharma to Will Jacks with just 20 runs on the scoreboard. It could have been a more challenging start for India had Brook held onto an easy catch off Samson during the third over. That missed opportunity proved costly, as Samson unleashed a spectacular innings, scoring 74 runs in just 39 balls, following his previous 97 not out against the West Indies that secured India's semifinal berth.

Samson's aggression was evident as he dominated the England bowlers, including Archer, who struggled in his initial overs. After notching up a fifty off just 26 balls—his second consecutive in the tournament—he and Ishan Kishan (39 off 18, 4x4, 2x6) put on a solid partnership, amassing 97 runs for the second wicket. They capitalized on poor bowling, scoring 19 runs off Dawson and 20 off Curran in consecutive overs.

Just as he appeared poised to achieve his maiden T20 World Cup century, Samson was caught by Phil Salt off Will Jacks while attempting a wide ball.

Despite skipper Suryakumar Yadav managing only 11 runs, Dube's dismissal following a mix-up with Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) dampened India's momentum. Tilak Varma's quickfire 27 off 7 balls, including two sixes, helped India reach a total that posed a significant challenge for England.

Final scores: India 253/7 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Shivam Dube 43, Ishan Kishan 39; Will Jacks 2-40, Adil Rashid 2-41) defeated England 246/7 in 20 overs (Jacob Bethell 105, Will Jacks 35; Hardik Pandya 2-38, Jasprit Bumrah 1-33, Axar Patel 1-35) by seven runs.