By Asif Naveed
SPORTS DESK (MNN); Defending champions India national cricket team held their nerve to defeat the England cricket team by seven runs in a thrilling second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, booking a place in the final.
The match was played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, where England captain Harry Brook won the toss and chose to field first.
India piled up a formidable total of 253-7 after a scintillating knock of 89 by Sanju Samson. England mounted a strong chase but ultimately fell short, finishing on 246-7 in what could have been a record run chase.
England’s top order struggled early, with Phil Salt (5), Harry Brook (7) and Jos Buttler (25) departing cheaply. However, England stayed in the hunt thanks to a powerful innings from Jacob Bethell, who was supported by Will Jacks (35).
Bethell smashed seven sixes and eight fours in a blistering 48-ball innings before being run out in the final over, allowing India to celebrate victory in front of nearly 35,000 fans at the packed stadium.
India will now face the New Zealand national cricket team in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad as they aim to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title and also the first to win the tournament on home soil.
Earlier, after being asked to bat, the hosts dominated England’s bowling attack, smashing 19 sixes and 18 fours across the innings.
Samson set the tone early by hitting a four and a six off Jofra Archer in the opening over. He was given a reprieve on 15 when Harry Brook dropped a straightforward catch at mid-off off Archer’s bowling.
The mistake proved costly as Samson raced to his half-century in just 26 balls, punishing England’s bowlers, including Liam Dawson, whose first over went for 19 runs.
Samson also shared a 97-run partnership with Ishan Kishan for the second wicket before Kishan was caught by Will Jacks off Adil Rashid in the 10th over, leaving India at 117-2.
Samson continued the assault until he was caught in the deep by Phil Salt off Will Jacks in the 14th over with India on 160-3.
Shivam Dube added 43 runs from 25 balls with four sixes before being run out by a direct hit from Harry Brook.
Late cameos from Hardik Pandya (27 off 12 balls) and Tilak Varma (21 off 7 balls) pushed India past the 250-run mark.
For England, Will Jacks was the most successful bowler with figures of 2-40, while Jofra Archer struggled, conceding 61 runs in his four overs.
