Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai produced a high-scoring thriller in the second Semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday night (5 March), which can’t be missed by cricket fans. By beating England by seven runs, the hosts and defending champions India reached the Final, as the Men in Blue are ready to write multiple new stories during the Final match of the tournament against New Zealand, which Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host on Sunday night (8 March).
After England chose to field first, India scored 253/7 in 20 overs. Opener Sanju Samson smashed 89 off 42 balls with eight fours and seven sixes, while Ishan Kishan (39 off 18 balls; four fours and two sixes) and Shivam Dube (43 off 25 balls; one four and four sixes) added significant runs. Hardik Pandya (27 off 12 balls; three fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (21 off 7 balls; three sixes) also had some strong cameos that proved valuable in the match.
In reply, England showed bravery attitude as they almost stunned the cricket world by chasing the mammoth target in the Semi-final of the tournament. England finally managed to score 246/7 in 20 overs, where Jacob Bethell played a brave knock of 105 runs off 48 balls with eight fours and seven sixes. Only Jos Buttler (25) and Will Jacks (35) were the only other English batters with 20+ scores in that innings, while Jofra Archer’s (19 not out off 4 balls) finishing with three back-to-back sixes were just too late for the English team.
India scored another top T20 World Cup total
India scored 253/7 in 20 overs.
It is the highest total for any team in a knockout match in any T20I tournament. The previous record was 244/4 by Italy vs Romania during the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier Group A Final. However, England are now in second position with 246/7 later in the innings against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-final.
Highest totals in T20 World Cup
Team | Total (Overs) | Opposition | Venue | Year |
Sri Lanka | 260/6 (20) | Kenya | Johannesburg | 2017 |
India | 256/4 (20) | Zimbabwe | Chennai | 2026 |
West Indies | 254/6 (20) | Zimbabwe | Wankhede | 2026 |
India | 253/7 (20) | England | Wankhede | 2026 |
England | 246/7 (20) | India | Wankhede | 2026 |
Jacob Bethell's brilliant record-breaking century
English cricketer Jacob Bethell smashed 105 off 48 balls.
Jacob Bethell became the second batter to record a century in a knockout match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history. On the previous day (4th March), New Zealand opener Finn Alenn smashed 100 not out off 33 balls against South Africa in the second Semi-final of the ongoing 2026 edition.
England replied with strong T20I second innings total
England scored 246/7 in 20 overs during the chase.
England recorded the joint second-highest total in the second innings of a T20I match.
Highest second innings T20I totals
Team | Total (Overs) | Target | Opposition | Venue | Year |
South Africa | 259/4 (18.5) | 259 | West Indies | Centurion | 2023 |
Bulgaria | 246/4 (19.4) | 243 | Serbia | Sofia | 2022 |
England | 246/7 (20) | 254 | India | Wankhede | 2026 |
Australia | 245/5 (18.5) | 244 | New Zealand | Auckland | 2018 |
India | 244/4 (20) | 246 | West Indies | Lauderhill | 2016 |
Bulgaria | 244/4 (14.2) | 244 | Gibraltar | Sofia | 2025 |
Record-breaking T20 World Cup aggregated total
The India vs England match ended with 499 total aggregated runs.
It was the second-highest aggregated total in a T20I match. The record is 517 runs between South Africa (259/4 in 18.5 overs in 2nd innings) and the West Indies (258/5 in 20 overs in 1st innings) at Centurion in 2023.
