India stuns England in high-scoring thriller to secure World Cup final berth

India has made it to the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 after a nail-biting win over England, defeating them by 7 runs in a high-scoring thriller at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 42 balls, featuring 7 sixes and 8 fours, laid the foundation for India's 253/7 score. Jacob Bethell's sensational 105 off 48 balls kept England in the hunt, but Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's bowling masterclass sealed the win for India. What a match! India edged past England in a thrilling semi-final, winning by 7 runs to secure their spot in the T20 World Cup final. Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 42 balls, featuring 8 fours and 7 sixes, laid the foundation for India's 253/7 score. Jacob Bethell's sensational 105 off 48 balls kept England in the game, but Jasprit Bumrah's masterful bowling sealed the win for India. India's narrow win over England in the T20 World Cup semi-final came down to fine margins, particularly in the field. Harry Brook's dropped catch in the third over, reprieving Sanju Samson on 15, proved costly. Axar Patel's two outstanding catches in the deep, including one that dismissed Harry Brook, swung the momentum in India's favor. Axar Patel's two outstanding catches in the deep turned the game in India's favor. He took a stunning overhead catch to dismiss Harry Brook for 7, and later made an incredible running relay effort to intercept Will Jacks' uppercut, breaking a crucial 77-run partnership with Jacob Bethell. India set a massive target of 254 runs, thanks to Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 42 balls, following his crucial 97 not out against West Indies. England struggled, losing three wickets in the powerplay, and despite a valiant effort, India's seamers held their nerve in the death overs, leaving England needing 30 runs off the final over. India's chances looked bright after Harry Brook dropped a catch reprieving Sanju Samson on 15, and Axar Patel's two stunning catches in the deep turned the game in India's favor. Suryakumar Yadav's comment about batting first if they had won the toss seems questionable, given the stats - no team had batted first and won a floodlight knockout at the T20 World Cup for 13 consecutive matches prior to this game. By the end of a 67-run powerplay, however, the inevitable was already charging into view. Samson had come into the contest with an unfavourable match-up against Archer - three dismissals for 23 in 25 previous deliveries in T20Is - but he also had the momentum of his match-winning knock at the weekend. He scarcely needed a helping hand to send his innings into overdrive. That dropped catch by Harry Brook was a game-changer. His maiden Test century in Sydney had been an astonishing display of precocity and shot selection; this awesome effort was everything that he had forsaken to produce that innings and more. The self-sacrifice he had shown in his judgment outside off in January was translated into a full repertoire of 360-degree strokeplay. Until his ODI hundred against South Africa last summer, he had never previously made a professional century. Now, he has joined an exclusive club with three figures in all three formats. One thing is for sure, this won't be the last the Wankhede crowd will see of him. Samson was on 15, and he went on to smash 89 off 42 balls, setting the tone for India's massive total. Brook's face said it all - guilt and regret. Archer's over went from bad to worse, and England's chances took a hit. India will now face New Zealand in the final on March 8 in Ahmedabad, aiming to defend their T20 World Cup title. India 253 for 7 (Samson 89, Dube 43, Kishan 39, Jacks 2-40, Rashid 2-41) beat England 246 for 7 (Bethell 105, Jacks 35, Hardik 2-38) by seven runs