India survive Bethell’s scare to qualify for World Cup final

By Alam Zeb Safi
MUMBAI: A blistering 89 from Sanju Samson helped India edge England by seven runs in a high-scoring semi-final at Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, sealing their place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after surviving a ferocious chase led by Jacob Bethell.
India piled up a daunting 253/7 after being sent in to bat but England threatened to pull off one of the greatest chases in T20 international history before finishing on 246/7.
The match produced 499 runs and a flurry of boundaries as both teams traded blows in a contest that swung repeatedly until the final over.
Samson’s 42-ball innings, packed with eight fours and seven sixes, set the platform for India’s massive total. He combined with Ishan Kishan, who struck 39 from 18 balls, to dominate the middle overs after Abhishek Sharma fell early.
India raced to 67/1 in the powerplay and crossed the 100 mark in just 8.3 overs as Samson reached his half-century in 26 balls.
England briefly regained control when Will Jacks dismissed both openers but India kept accelerating. Shivam Dube smashed 43 off 25 balls while captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a quick cameo.
Late fireworks from Hardik Pandya (27 off 12) and Tilak Varma (21 off 7) pushed India past the 250 mark, despite England leg-spinner Adil Rashid claiming two wickets.
England’s chase began shakily as Phil Salt, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler all fell inside the powerplay.
However, 22-year-old Bethell ignited the contest with a spectacular counterattack. The left-hander blasted a 45-ball century, featuring eight fours and seven sixes and kept England alive with aggressive partnerships alongside Will Jacks and Sam Curran.
England reached 200 in just 16.5 overs and needed 54 runs from the final three overs, with Bethell still at the crease.
But India’s experienced bowlers held their nerve. Jasprit Bumrah conceded just 33 runs in his four overs while Hardik Pandya removed both Salt and Curran at crucial moments.
The decisive blow came in the 19th over when Bethell was run out attempting a desperate second run, effectively ending England’s hopes despite a late flourish from Jofra Archer, who smashed three sixes in the final over.
India eventually sealed a seven-run victory to advance to the final, with Samson named player of the match for his match-defining innings.

Summarised Scores

India 253/7 (20 overs) Sanju Samson 89 (42), Shivam Dube 43 (25), Ishan Kishan 39 (18), Hardik Pandya 27 (12),
Tilak Varma 21 (7), Will Jacks 2–40, Adil Rashid 2–41

England 246/7 (20 overs) Jacob Bethell 105 (48), Will Jacks 35 (20), Jos Buttler 25 (17), Sam Curran 18 (14), Hardik Pandya 2–38, Jasprit Bumrah 1–33, Axar Patel 1–35

Result: India won by 7 runs