England fell seven runs short in a spirited chase of 254 in their T20 World Cup semi-final against India, with Jacob Bethell’s stunning 105 off 48 balls not quite enough to see them into Sunday’s final against New Zealand.
England conceded over 250 in a T20 international for the first time as India posted a massive 253-7 after being inserted, but Bethell’s 45-ball hundred, sharing in a 77-run partnership with Will Jacks (35 off 20) for the fifth wicket, took Harry Brook’s side to the cusp of a remarkable victory.
Axar Patel, who had earlier taken a terrific, tumbling catch over his shoulder to dismiss Harry Brook (7), also played his part in a stunning relayed effort on the boundary to do for Jacks, while Bethell was run out to start the final over as England fell just short.
Sanju Samson had earlier proven the mainstay of India’s extraordinary total, as he smashed seven sixes and eight boundaries in his 89 off 42 – but he should have been dismissed for just 15.
Serving up a chipped chance to Brook at mid-on in the third over, the skipper somehow shelled the simple grab – and Samson made him and England pay.
Tasked with pulling off the second-highest T20I run chase of all time, there was at least a clarity afforded England’s batters in the approach required – and Bethell certainly enjoyed himself.
England were 38-2 when Brook (7) fell cheaply to start the fifth over, bringing Bethell to the crease. He swiftly struck his second ball for six, and hit three more to start Varun Chakravarthy’s next over.
Varun would bowl Buttler (25 off 17) two deliveries later but it would otherwise be a torrid night for the leg-spinner, as he conceded 64 from his four overs.
A quick-fire Tom Banton (17 off 5) cameo as well as the more telling contributions from Bethell and Jacks helped England soar past the 100 mark off the first ball of the ninth over, Bethell bringing up a 19-ball half century in the 11th.
More to follow…
Watch the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 1pm, Sunday (1.30pm first ball).
2026 Men’s T20 World Cup knockouts
All times UK and Ireland; all games live on Sky Sports
Semi-finals
Wednesday March 4
Thursday March 5
- India beat England by seven runs (Mumbai)
Final
Sunday March 8
- New Zealand vs India (Ahmedabad, 1.30pm)
