Mumbai, March 5, 2026 — India edged England by seven runs in a dramatic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, holding England to 246/7 after posting 253 to set a target of 254. The win on Thursday sends India into the final against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8, 2026.
Sanju Samson’s match-winning innings and Jasprit Bumrah’s late bowling proved decisive in a high-scoring contest. India’s batting contributions also came from Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma, while Axar Patel’s fielding and support from Arshdeep Singh helped tilt the game in India’s favour.
BCCI president Mithun Manhas applauded the collective performance, calling Samson “brilliant” and highlighting the efforts of Pandya, Dube, Varma, Bumrah, Arshdeep and Axar. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla congratulated the team and singled out Samson’s “magnificent innings” and the “outstanding effort in the field” by Axar Patel.
Former players and commentators flooded social media with praise. Suresh Raina called it “big match temperament” and saluted the team’s fearless cricket. Kedar Jadhav celebrated the squad’s talent and determination as India reached the final. Harbhajan Singh credited India’s death-over bowling and Samson’s knock for turning the match.
Robin Uthappa emphasised Shivam Dube’s tournament consistency, Axar’s game-changing fielding and Hardik Pandya’s clutch contributions, while Yusuf Pathan and Irfan Pathan both highlighted Bumrah’s influential 18th over. VVS Laxman lauded the team’s composure and belief under pressure.
Former wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami named Axar Patel his man of the match for two pivotal catches. Angelo Mathews described the contest as a thrilling chase by England and praised the overall spectacle. Lalit Modi and Shikhar Dhawan noted the quality of the contest and the balanced contributions with bat, ball and in the field; Dhawan added that India are now “one more to go” for tournament glory.
India’s victory capped a tense, entertaining evening at Wankhede and set up a much-anticipated final against New Zealand on March 8, where India will aim to convert this momentum into the T20 World Cup title.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/belief-and-relief-cricket-fraternity-hails-indias-thrilling-t20-wc-semi-final-win-over-england
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Publish Date: 2026-03-06 00:04:00
