India held on to beat England by seven runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final after Jacob Bethell was run out for 105, seemingly in sight of leading his team to a stunning chase to victory.
The tournament co-host will defend its 2024 crown against New Zealand in the final, starting late on Sunday night (AEDT) in Ahmedabad.
India powered to 7-253, the fourth highest total in T20 World Cup history, and England replied with 7-246, the fifth highest ever.
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There were 499 runs with 34 sixes — the most hit in a T20 World Cup match — 19 by India and 15 by England.
Sanju Samson, dropped on 15, hit 89 off 42 balls to lead India. Jofra Archer went 1-61, conceding the most runs ever by an England bowler in a men's T20 World Cup.
Bethell led England's reply with a career-first 105 off 48 balls, including seven sixes.
He hit 50 off 19 balls as he put on 77 off 39 balls with Will Jacks. This was England’s most dangerous duo as per batting form, and India was wary.
However he fell on the first ball of the last over, when England needed 30 runs to win, trying to run a second single that wasn't on.
The dismissal officially put the nail in the coffin.
https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/2029628017967079431?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/2029605365050945723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
"You can see why England were raving about this young man and to play an innings like that was special but In the end 254 was too many," former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sport.
Bethell has continued his strong form since the Ashes, where he scored his maiden Test century (142 off 229 balls).
Jasprit Bumrah bowled a controlled spell of 1-33 in four overs, and Axar Patel took two stunning catches in the field and fashioned another.
India beat England in a second successive T20 World Cup semi-final and will try on Sunday to become the first team to win three World Cups and consecutive titles. New Zealand has never won the men's T20 World Cup.
Samson, who hit a second consecutive half-century, was named player of the match.
“I feel great – I knew I had form behind me going into this game so I needed to continue (batting like that)," he said.
“It is not easy to find form in crucial games for your country, so I needed to make the most out of my batting in a big game. I gave myself extra time and calculated my innings.”
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