In a thrilling encounter at Wankhede Stadium, India edged out England by 7 runs in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026. Sanju Samson, awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 89 off 42 balls, turned the spotlight on Jasprit Bumrah during his acceptance speech. ‘The entire credit for this victory goes to Bumrah,’ Samson declared. ‘He’s a world-class bowler, the kind that comes once in a generation. This award should really be his. Without his death-over mastery, I wouldn’t be standing here.’
Samson’s praise wasn’t mere rhetoric. Bumrah and Hardik Pandya’s crucial overs from 15 to 19 turned the game decisively. With England needing 69 off the last 5 overs and Jacob Bethell firing on all cylinders, anything seemed possible. Bumrah’s 16th over leaked just 8 runs, piling pressure. Then, in the 18th, he conceded only 6, strangling the chase. Hardik’s 19th over, costing 9 runs, left England 30 short in the final over—a mountain too steep as they managed 22.
Bumrah finished with 1/33 in 4 overs, while Pandya claimed 2/38. Earlier, India, batting first after losing the toss, posted 253/7. Samson led with 89 (7 sixes, 8 fours), backed by Shivam Dube’s 43 off 25, Ishan Kishan’s 39 off 18, Hardik’s 27 off 12, and Tilak Varma’s 21 off 7. England fought valiantly, Bethell’s 105 off 48 (7 sixes, 8 fours) nearly pulling it off, but they fell to 246/7.
This win catapults India into the final, underscoring Bumrah’s unmatched skill in high-stakes moments. Samson’s gesture highlights team spirit, but Bumrah’s wizardry was the match-winner.