India secured a thrilling seven-run victory over England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, booking their place in the final after defending a massive total.

India posted 253/7 in 20 overs, while England finished at 246/7, falling just short despite a strong chase in the high-scoring contest.

Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his impressive knock of 89 runs off 42 balls, which helped India post a commanding total. However, after receiving the award, Samson said the honour should actually belong to Jasprit Bumrah, praising the pacer’s performance in the crucial death overs.

Speaking after the match, Samson said he entered the semi-final confident after finding form in the previous game and wanted to make the most of the opportunity in such a crucial contest.

“To be honest, I kind of knew that I got some form going from the last game, so I thought I need to continue. I think it’s not easy you find form at the crucial games for your country, so I thought big game, I need to make the most out of how I’m batting,” Samson said.

He explained that he deliberately took some time early in his innings before accelerating.

“I gave myself an extra time. I calculated my innings a bit. I prepared really well and I think things came off nicely. Got a bit lucky to start off and then I just wanted to carry on,” he said.

Samson also acknowledged that Wankhede Stadium is known for high-scoring chases, which meant India needed to post as many runs as possible.

“Knowing, playing in Wankhede, we know that no score is stoppable here, so I just wanted to get as much runs as possible. Even 250 looked like chaseable here and England played really well,” he added.

Despite his match-winning knock, Samson credited India’s bowlers — especially Bumrah — for sealing the victory.

“All credit goes to Jasprit Bumrah, the world-class bowler, once in a generation bowler. I think that’s what he delivered today. This award should go to him actually. If we didn’t bowl that way in the death overs, I think I would not be standing here,” Samson said.

Bumrah delivered a crucial spell for India, finishing with 1 wicket for 33 runs in his four overs, helping contain England in the closing stages of the chase.

Samson also praised the atmosphere at the Wankhede Stadium, describing it as a special moment to perform in front of the passionate crowd.

“As you have witnessed here, it’s an unbelievable feeling to play in Wankhede right from childhood. The way people support both the Indian team and also the England team, they are real supporters of cricket,” he said.

Reflecting on his innings, Samson said scoring a century was never his focus in T20 cricket.

“Hundreds don’t matter. You can’t actually plan a hundred. Once you get the start in T20 cricket, you just have to keep going hard,” he added.

With the victory, India advanced to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they will face New Zealand, who defeated South Africa in the first semi-final.

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TOPICS: Jasprit Bumrah Sanju Samson