India vs England LIVE: India Beat England by 7 Runs, Into the Final
Samson's 89 and Bethell's heartbreaking 105 define a Wankhede classic
India face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad on March 08 after a seven-run victory over England in a semifinal at the Wankhede. Sanju Samson's 89 off 42 balls set the platform for India's 253/7, and despite Jacob Bethell's extraordinary 105 off 48 balls, England fell short on 246/7, unable to cross the line on the biggest night of their tournament.
Bethell's innings was the story of England's chase. He walked in at 13/1 in the second over, found no support from his top order, took Varun Chakaravarthy apart for three consecutive sixes, brought up the second-fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history off 45 balls, and was run out off the first ball of the final over for 105, Hardik Pandya's throw finding Sanju Samson. Jofra Archer hit three sixes in the last over to make it close, but India held their nerve.
For India, Samson's 89 was the foundation, Shivam Dube's 43 off 25 and Tilak Varma's 21 off seven the acceleration. Jasprit Bumrah removed Harry Brook first ball, Varun Chakaravarthy bowled Jos Buttler for 25, and Axar Patel cleaned up Tom Banton.
Live Updates
- 5 March 2026 9:00 PM IST
A star-studded MCA Pavilion at the Wankhede.
Nita Ambani, Akash Ambani and Sloka Ambani, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt with daughter Raha, Anil Kapoor, and Varun Dhawan all out in force for India's T20 World Cup semifinal.
Photos: Debasish Dey.
- 5 March 2026 8:47 PM IST
India finished on 253/7 in 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya has been run out off the penultimate ball of the innings for 27 off 12 balls, Jacob Bethell's direct throw cutting short another destructive cameo. Jofra Archer was the pick of England's sufferers, conceding 61 runs in four overs, the most expensive spell by any bowler in a T20 World Cup knockout. Will Jacks took two wickets but went for 40.
- 5 March 2026 8:41 PM IST
Tilak Varma's blazing 21 ends
Tilak Varma has been bowled by Jofra Archer for a blistering 21 off seven balls, three sixes, after taking the England pacer for 60 runs in 3.5 overs at the Wankhede. Archer dismissed Varma with a low full toss outside off after being carted to all parts, finishing his spell in disarray. Axar Patel is the new batter on nought, Hardik Pandya holds on 14 off eight balls.
- 5 March 2026 8:33 PM IST
Dube run out for 43 as India lose way in death overs
Shivam Dube has been run out for 43 off 25 balls after a costly mix-up with Hardik Pandya, Harry Brook hitting the stumps to deny Dube a deserved finish. Three wickets have fallen in the last five overs. Hardik Pandya remains on 14 off eight balls and Tilak Varma has just arrived at the crease. India are 213/5 in 17.4 overs.
- 5 March 2026 8:24 PM IST
Suryakumar Yadav stumped as Rashid strikes twice
Suryakumar Yadav has been stumped by Jos Buttler off Adil Rashid for 11 off six balls, the second wicket Rashid claimed in his final over to finish figures of 4-0-41-2. Hardik Pandya is the new batter on four off three balls, and Shivam Dube holds firm on 36 off 22 balls with three sixes.
- 5 March 2026 8:08 PM IST
Samson out for 89, England finally break through
Sanju Samson out for 89 off 42 balls, eleven short of a World Cup semifinal century that would have lived forever. Jacks gets the breakthrough England desperately needed and the Wankhede falls silent for a moment. What an innings it was though. Seven overs left and India need their middle order to see this through.
- 5 March 2026 7:49 PM IST
Samson surges to 67, Kishan falls
Ishan Kishan has been dismissed for 39 off 18 balls, but Sanju Samson continues to tear England's bowling apart, reaching 66 off 32 balls at a strike rate of 206.
Sam Curran has been the pick of the sufferers, conceding 32 runs in two overs, and Shivam Dube is the new batter. India are 117/2 in 9.3 overs. - 5 March 2026 7:39 PM IST
Samson fifty lights up Wankhede semifinal
Sanju Samson has raced to 53 off just 27 balls, three sixes and seven fours at a strike rate of 196, taking India's chase by the scruff of the neck at the Wankhede. Adil Rashid has been introduced into the attack but Samson has shown no signs of slowing. Ishan Kishan backs him up on 22 off 13, the partnership worth 66 off 35 balls.
- 5 March 2026 7:33 PM IST
Samson blazes to 41 as India are 71/1 in 6.1 overs
Sanju Samson has taken England's bowling apart, reaching 41 off just 20 balls at a strike rate of 205, hitting two sixes and six fours at the Wankhede. Ishan Kishan has been equally positive at the other end, scoring 16 off nine balls, and the pair have put on 47 off 24 balls for the second wicket. Jofra Archer and Sam Curran have both been expensive, and India head into the middle overs in firm control.
- 5 March 2026 7:28 PM IST
India have got off to a blazing start after the England national cricket team opted to bowl first at the toss. Sanju Samson has taken charge early, smashing 40 off just 19 balls with six fours and two sixes to keep the scoring rate above 11 runs per over.
At the other end, Ishan Kishan has provided quick support with 16 off 9 balls as the pair stitched together a rapid 46-run partnership off 23 deliveries.
India did lose an early wicket when Abhishek Sharma was caught by Phil Salt off Will Jacks for 9, leaving the hosts at 20/1 in the second over. Since then, Samson has kept the pressure firmly on the England attack, taking on bowlers including Sam Curran and Jamie Overton during the powerplay.
With 66 on the board in under six overs, India have laid a strong platform for a big total.
