Mumbai: Sanju Samson delivered another stunning display of batting brilliance in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal, smashing 89 runs off just 42 deliveries against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Thursday to power India to a record-breaking total of 253/7.
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, who had tormented West Indies with a 97-run knock off 50 balls in the Super 8 stage, once again held India’s innings together narrowly missing a second consecutive half-century-plus score that would have crossed the century mark. His knock featured 8 fours and 7 sixes, with a strike rate exceeding 200.
Samson’s dismissal came courtesy of Will Jacks, but not before he had done the bulk of the damage. A fortunate reprieve early in his innings proved costly for England Harry Brook dropped him at mid-on when he had scored just 15, and Samson went on to add 74 more runs before eventually falling.
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The right-hander’s form across the tournament has been exceptional. His 97 not out at Eden Gardens on Sunday set the foundation for India’s qualification into the semifinal, where he stroked 12 fours and 4 sixes as India navigated the loss of Abhishek Sharma (10) in the third over to seal their place in the last four their third consecutive semifinal appearance and sixth overall.
Back at the Wankhede, Samson was well supported by the rest of the batting lineup. Ishan Kishan chipped in with a brisk 39 off 18 deliveries, while Shivam Dube was in commanding touch before being run out for 43 off 25 his third run-out of the ongoing tournament. Captain Suryakumar Yadav (11), Hardik Pandya (27), and Tilak Varma also contributed with aggressive cameos as India plundered runs at will in the final overs.
The total of 253/7 is now the highest score ever posted by any team in a T20 World Cup knockout fixture.
England’s bowlers had a torrid evening, with two of their frontline options leaking over 50 runs each. Jofra Archer returned figures of 1/61 in his four overs, while Sam Curran endured an even more difficult outing, going wicketless and conceding 53 runs.
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