India survived a breath-taking chase to defeat England by seven runs in a pulsating T20 World Cup semi-final, sealing their place in Sunday’s final against New Zealand after successfully defending a towering total of 253/7.
England threatened to pull off one of the greatest run chases in T20 international history, thanks largely to a sensational 105 off just 48 balls from Jacob Bethell. But despite his heroics, the chase ultimately fell agonisingly short as England finished on 246/8.
India’s total was the highest ever recorded in a T20 World Cup match and the first time England had conceded more than 250 in a T20 international.
Chasing 254, England found themselves under early pressure when captain Harry Brook fell for seven in the fifth over. That brought Bethell to the crease, and the young left-hander immediately shifted the momentum with fearless strokeplay.
Bethell launched into India’s attack, striking sixes almost at will and racing to a 19-ball half-century. Along the way he found useful support from Jos Buttler, who made 25 off 17 before being bowled by Varun Chakravarthy, and later Will Jacks.
Jacks produced a lively 35 from 20 balls, and the pair added a crucial 77 for the fifth wicket to keep England firmly in the contest. When Jacks fell to a superb boundary effort involving Axar Patel, England still needed a manageable 82 from the final six overs.
But India’s bowlers tightened the screws at the crucial stage. Jasprit Bumrah, returning to the side, delivered typically economical overs to slow England’s momentum, while Sam Curran’s 18 from 14 balls was unable to maintain the required acceleration.
Bethell continued his assault regardless, bringing up a magnificent century with his seventh six. However, a decisive penultimate over from Hardik Pandya saw only three runs scored and Curran dismissed, leaving England needing 30 off the final over.
Any lingering hopes vanished when Bethell was run out off the first ball of the last over. Jofra Archer briefly entertained with three towering sixes, but the outcome was already settled as India sealed their place in the final.
Earlier, India’s innings had been built around a destructive 89 from 42 balls by Sanju Samson, whose knock featured seven sixes and eight fours.
England had an early opportunity to remove him when Samson chipped a simple chance to mid-on on 15, but Brook spilled the catch and India made England pay heavily for the lapse.
After Abhishek Sharma fell for nine, Ishan Kishan provided the first burst of momentum with a blistering 39 off 18 balls in a 97-run stand with Samson that powered India past 100 in the ninth over.
Although Adil Rashid eventually removed Kishan, Samson continued to dominate alongside Shivam Dube, who contributed a rapid 43 off 25 balls.
Samson eventually fell to Will Jacks for 89 while attempting another boundary, but India’s assault never slowed. Hardik Pandya hammered 27 off 12 balls, while Tilak Varma blasted 21 off just seven deliveries in a brutal late surge.
England’s bowlers had few answers on a punishing night, with Archer conceding 61 from his four overs as India piled up a daunting total.
In the end, Bethell’s remarkable innings gave England hope of a historic chase, but India held their nerve in the closing overs to advance to the final, where they will aim to successfully defend their T20 World Cup crown.
