Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: India held their nerve to beat England by seven runs in a pulsating ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, despite a breathtaking 105 from Jacob Bethell. After Sanju Samson’s brilliant 89 laid the foundation, India posted a mammoth 253/7, and England fell agonisingly short at 246/7 in what would have been a record chase.Phil Salt (5), Harry Brook (7), and Jos Buttler (25) fell early, but Bethell, supported by Will Jacks (35), kept England in the hunt. The left-hander smashed seven sixes and eight fours in his 48-ball blitz before a run-out in the final over finally allowed India to celebrate in front of 35,000 ecstatic fans.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted the tension as England’s chase unfolded. “Was very nervous, heart rate would’ve been 160-175. The moment we entered, it was already 80% full, hope we gave the crowd a good game. Going for the title in India there will be pressure, but the players and support staff will be excited,” he said.“Unbelievable feeling. Playing in India, leading an unbelievable side. Samson knew what he knew right when he went in. Team required it from him, it was due. I told Harry how much more do we need to score against them. They were always in the chase, but the way the bowlers pulled the game away was unbelievable,” Surya added.“You know how capable Bumrah is. We need to give credit to T Dilip, our fielding coach. Boys are responding well. Guys have been going the extra yard, that’s showing up. Till No. 3 all is settled, as soon as we saw Rashid, Dube was the perfect match up,” he said.Earlier, having been asked to bat by Brook, India tore through England’s attack, hitting 19 sixes and 18 fours. Samson signalled his intent with a four and six off Jofra Archer’s first over but was given a reprieve on 15 when Brook dropped a straightforward chance at mid-off.Samson capitalised, racing to a 26-ball half-century, helped by some wayward bowling as Liam Dawson’s first over was hammered for 19 runs. He put on 97 runs from 48 balls with Ishan Kishan for the second wicket before being dismissed by Adil Rashid in the 10th over (117/2). Samson continued to dominate until Jacks returned, catching him off Phil Salt in the 14th over (160/3).Shivam Dube contributed 43 off 25 balls with four sixes before being run out by a direct hit from Brook. Hardik Pandya added 27 off 12 and Tilak Varma 21 off seven to propel India past 250.For England, Jacks was the most successful bowler with 2/40, while the erratic Archer suffered, conceding 61 runs from four overs.India will now take on New Zealand in Sunday’s final at Ahmedabad, aiming to become the first team to defend the title and the first to win it on home soil.
