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Full Noise by SN
India roar into T20 World Cup final date with Blackcaps
Ian Chadband, AAP •  March 6th, 2026 6:40 am
India enjoy the run-out of Jacob Bethell that finally sank England in the T20 World Cup semi-final | Photo: AP
India have roared into the final of their home T20 World Cup after not even a gloriously defiant century from England's Jacob Bethell could top the hosts' thunderous batting display as they eked out a thrilling seven-run win.
Sanju Samson, match-winnner in their do-or-die win over the West Indies in the previous game, fired once again to crash 89 off 42 balls and lead India to 253/7, the fourth-highest total in the tournament's history, on Thursday (Friday NZT).
Faced with a record-breaking chase, England's precocious left-hander Bethell then kept Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium quiet for long periods as he plundered a 48-ball 105 to keep England in with a sniff of a chance.
But, ultimately, fine death bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya proved too much as England fell just short on 7-246 and the champions set up a final on Sunday (Monday 2.30am NZT) against New Zealand in Ahmedabad where they can become the first team to successfully defend the title.
Finn Allen on his T20 World Cup semi-final masterclass | Cricket Nation
