What did we just witness at Wankhede? India and England put on an absolute show tonight. A seven-run margin doesn’t tell you how crazy this match actually was.
Over 500 runs scored between both teams combined! Sanju Samson finally showed everyone what he’s truly capable of. Then Bumrah came in and closed the door when it mattered most.
Sanju Samson’s Explosive Batting Display
Here’s something wild – India scored 253 for 7 batting first! Nobody’s ever scored that many in a World Cup knockout before. Sanju Samson walked in and just started hitting from ball one.
89 runs off 42 balls – that’s video game numbers right there. 8 fours, 7 sixes, and Harry Brook probably still sees that catch in his nightmares. Dropping Samson on 15 – that came back to haunt England big time.
Ishan Kishan came out swinging too with 39 off 18. These two put on 97 runs together before anyone blinked. After Kishan got out, everyone else kept attacking relentlessly.
Shivam Dube smashed 43, Hardik whacked 27 off just 12 balls. Tilak Varma finished things off with 21 off 7! England’s bowlers had nowhere to hide honestly.
England’s Brave Chase Falls Short
Chasing 254 sounds impossible until you remember this is T20 cricket. Jacob Bethell absolutely went ballistic with 105 off 48 balls. If England won, we’d be calling this one of the greatest chases ever.
But losing Phil Salt early – that hurt them badly. Then Bumrah got Harry Brook early too. Jos Buttler tried steadying things with 25 but Varun got him.
Bethell kept swinging though with Will Jacks alongside him. They added 77 runs and suddenly England had a real chance. Then Axar pulled off that relay catch with Dube and the momentum shifted back.
Bumrah Seals India’s Victory
England needed 69 off the last 30 balls. Most teams would panic there but Bumrah just smiled. His last two overs gave just 14 runs total while everyone else was getting hammered.
Finished with 2 for 33 when everyone else was going for 10-plus per over. Hardik and Dube defended 39 in the final two overs. England fell just 7 runs short after that incredible effort.
These two teams keep meeting in the semifinals now – third time straight! England destroyed India in 2022. India got revenge in 2024. Now India wins again heading to the final.
Sunday’s final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad – can India defend their title?
