India beat England by 7 runs to reach T20 World Cup 2026 final

Defending champions India defeated England by seven runs in a high-scoring semi-final to reach the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

At Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on March 5, India posted a formidable 253/7 before restricting England to 246/7, sealing their second successive appearance in a T20 World Cup final.

The contest turned into a run-fest, with both teams combining for 499 runs — the highest aggregate in a men’s T20 World Cup match.

India will now face the New Zealand national cricket team in final at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 8. The hosts are chasing multiple milestones — becoming the first host nation to win the tournament, the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title, and the first to claim three titles.

Samson leads India’s batting blitz

Sanju Samson delivered another match-defining performance, scoring a blistering 89 off 42 balls to anchor India’s imposing total.

After struggling for opportunities earlier in the tournament, Samson has stepped up in crucial matches. Following his unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in the Super Eight stage, the right-hander once again rose to the occasion.

Samson attacked from the outset, striking back-to-back boundaries off Jofra Archer in the opening over. Dropped on 15 by England captain Harry Brook at mid-on, he made England pay with a relentless display of power hitting.

He brought up his half-century in just 26 balls, lofting Liam Dawson over extra cover for six.

Samson shared a 97-run stand in 45 balls with Ishan Kishan and added another quick partnership with Shivam Dube.

India’s middle order kept the momentum going. Kishan scored 39 off 18 balls, Dube made 43 from 25, Hardik Pandya added 27 from 12 deliveries, while Tilak Varma struck 21 off seven balls.

India hammered 19 sixes and 18 fours in their innings.

England fall short despite Bethell century

England’s chase began poorly as Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and Brook were dismissed inside the first six overs.

Pandya removed Salt with the first ball of his spell, while Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Brook with the help of a superb backward running catch from Axar Patel.

Buttler scored 25 off 17 balls before being bowled by a googly from Varun Chakaravarthy as England slipped to 68/3 at the end of the powerplay.

England, however, remained in the hunt thanks to a brilliant century from Jacob Bethell. The left-hander smashed 105 off just 48 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes to keep the chase alive.

Bethell shared a rapid 77-run partnership with Will Jacks before a moment of fielding brilliance broke the stand. Patel intercepted a sliced shot near the boundary and relayed the ball to Dube for a stunning catch.

Bethell carried the chase deep into the final over but was run out attempting a second run, effectively ending England’s hopes.

India hold nerve in final overs

In the end, disciplined death bowling from Bumrah and sharp fielding — particularly from Patel — proved decisive as India held their nerve to secure a narrow seven-run victory and move within one win of another world title.