Sanju Samson Delivers Match-Winning 89 as India Reach World Cup Final

India beat England by seven runs in a Mumbai semi-final after sanju samson scored 89 off 42 to anchor a 253/7 total, a result that sends India into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final. 9: 14 p. m. ET — the innings and the captain’s reaction matter because they decided a high-scoring knockout and set up a title match.

Sanju Samson’s 89 Powers India to 253/7 in Mumbai

Samson produced a fluent 89 off 42 balls that formed the backbone of India’s 253/7, one of the two massive innings that pushed the match near 500 runs across both innings. The 31-year-old opener has followed a run of form that includes back-to-back top scores — a 97* in the previous game and this 89 — both at the top of the order for India, performances that directly helped India beat West Indies and England to reach the final.

Rohit Sharma Explains Emotional Pep Talk: ‘I can feel pulse of the player’

Rohit Sharma revealed an emotional reason behind his pep talk to the team, saying he could “feel pulse of the player, ” a comment offered as part of his explanation for encouraging the players during the contest. The captain’s intervention came amid the tight finish after England’s strong chase made the contest tense despite India’s imposing total.

England’s Bethell Hits 105 off 48 but India Hold On; Bowlers Arshdeep, Hardik, Bumrah Deliver

England youngster Bethell counterattacked with a stunning 105 off 48 that kept England firmly in the chase, but India held on to win by seven runs as their bowlers pushed back when it mattered. India credited the quality of Arshdeep, Hardik and Jasprit Bumrah for containing the reply; Bumrah delivered six yorkers in a crucial spell, a sequence the team highlighted as decisive in closing out the match.

Samson reflected on patience and clarity after the innings, saying the performance felt like reward for years of persistence and readiness; he noted extensive T20 experience, saying he has played “around 300 or 400 T20s, ” has batted across positions one to six, and has captained a franchise, experience he said helped him identify and execute the role the team demanded.

India’s win in Mumbai — edged by seven runs — sets up the Final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with the next confirmed event the Final scheduled for March 29 at 7: 30 p. m. ET.