India rode on Sanju Samson’s brilliance, who hit 89 off just 42 balls, to put up 253/7 on board. It was so close yet to so far for England.

India defeated England by just seven runs in a breathtaking edge-of-the-seat thriller at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. India will play New Zealand in the final.

Put in, India rode on Sanju Samson’s brilliance, who hit 89 off just 42 balls, to put up 253/7 on board. Shivam Dube supported him well for a 25-ball 43.

However, England fought back brilliantly in the run chase. They lost early wickets and were 64/3 at the end of powerplay overs. Jacob Bethell then played a sensational knock scoring 105 off 48 balls with eight fours and seven sixes. He got good support from the lower order with Will Jacks scoring 35 and Sam Curran 18. It put the pressure back on India in front of the home crowd.

With the match tantalisingly poised and England keeping itself ahead of the run chase, it all came down the final five overs. Jasprit Bumrah was exceptional in the death overs, followed by Hardik Pandya’s brilliant work with the ball and on the field that took the game away from England. Tilak Varma kept his calm to grab a brilliant catch of Sam Curran at a crucial moment in 19th over that pegged England back. Pandya then ran Bethell out with a brilliant piece on the field. Axar Patel also played a key role taking two superb catches. It was a good all-round display from defending champions India who came good under pressure.

–eom