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.
India have beaten England by seven runs in a breathless T20 World Cup semifinal at the Wankhede, posting 253/7 and holding on as England finished on 246/7. Jacob Bethell's 105 off 48 balls kept England in the hunt until the very last over, but it was not enough. India face New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad on March 08.
Hardik Pandya has removed Sam Curran for 18 off 14 balls, caught by Tilak Varma on the boundary to leave England six down and needing 31 off just eight balls at a required rate of 23.25.
Jacob Bethell has brought up a T20 World Cup semifinal century off just 45 balls, seven sixes and eight fours, an innings that will be spoken about long after tonight's result is settled. He came in at 13/1 in the second over, found no support from his top order, survived a run-out chance, took Varun Chakaravarthy apart, and kept England alive when every other batter had failed. At 22, on the biggest night of his career, he gave everything.
England need 33 off 11 balls and India are 91% favourites. The match is gone. The innings is not. England are 221/5 in 18.1 overs
Arshdeep Singh has dismissed Will Jacks for 35 off 20 balls, caught by Shivam Dube to end a partnership worth 77 off 39 balls that had given England genuine hope. Jacob Bethell remains unbeaten on 74 off 33 balls, five sixes and six fours, but England need 82 off 36 balls at a required rate of 13.67 and are running out of recognised batters.
Jacob Bethell has advanced to 71 off 30 balls and Will Jacks is going hard on 35 off 19, the pair putting on 71 off 35 balls without being separated. No wicket has fallen in the last five overs and England have scored 59 in that period, cutting the required rate to 13.20. India's win probability has slipped to 86% and the Wankhede crowd is growing anxious. England are 166/4 in 13.2 overs.
Jacob Bethell has taken the T20 World Cup semifinal by the scruff, reaching 61 off just 25 balls with five sixes and five fours, equalling the joint-fastest fifty in World Cup knockout history alongside New Zealand's Finn Allen. Will Jacks has provided solid support on 24 off 16 balls, the pair putting on 50 off 27 for the fifth wicket. England, however, still need 109 off 48 balls at a required rate of 13.62.
Tom Banton has been bowled by Axar Patel for 17 off five balls, two sixes and a four before the stumps were rattled, leaving England four down inside eight overs. Jacob Bethell remains in extraordinary touch on 39 off 14 balls with five sixes, but England still need 159 off 75 balls and are fast running out of recognised batters.
Varun Chakaravarthy has bowled Jos Buttler for 25 off 17 balls, the wrong 'un beating the England wicketkeeper to clip the top of leg stump and leave England three down inside six overs. Jacob Bethell remains defiant on 26 off nine balls, four sixes, but
England need 190 off 85 balls at a required rate of 13.41 with their top order gone.
Jasprit Bumrah has taken a wicket with his very first delivery, removing Harry Brook for seven off six balls to leave England reeling at 38/2 in 4.1 overs. Jos Buttler remains unbeaten on 25 off 16 balls but England require 216 off 95 balls at a required rate of 13.64, a task that looks beyond them.
Phil Salt has been caught by Axar Patel off Hardik Pandya for five off three balls, giving India the early breakthrough they needed. Jos Buttler remains at the crease on eight off four balls, but England still require 241 off 18.5 overs.