India’s cricket team has once again proven its mettle in the T20 World Cup, securing a spot in the semifinals for the sixth time after a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This hard-fought win on Sunday propels Team India into the final four of the 2026 edition, setting up a blockbuster clash with England on March 5.
The journey to this stage hasn’t been easy, but India’s history in T20 World Cup knockouts is a mix of triumph and heartbreak. Let’s dive into the archives to see how the Men in Blue have fared in these high-stakes encounters.
It all began in 2007, the inaugural T20 World Cup, where MS Dhoni’s young brigade stunned Australia in the semis. Batting first, India posted 188/5, powered by Yuvraj Singh’s explosive 70 off 30 balls and Dhoni’s unbeaten 36 off 18. Australia managed only 173/7 in response, with Irfan Pathan and Joginder Sharma grabbing two wickets each. That victory paved the way for India’s first T20 world title.
Fast forward to 2014 in Bangladesh, and India faced South Africa in the semis. Chasing 173, Virat Kohli’s masterful unbeaten 72 off 44 balls guided India home with four wickets and overs to spare, showcasing their chasing prowess under pressure.
The 2016 edition at home brought a painful memory against West Indies. Rohit Sharma’s 43 and Kohli’s 89 helped India reach 192/2, but Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 82 and Johnson Charles’ 52 steered the Caribbean side to a dramatic one-run win.
In 2022 Down Under, England handed India a harsh lesson. Despite Hardik Pandya’s 63 and Kohli’s 50, India’s 168/6 proved insufficient as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales chased it down without losing a wicket.
Redemption came in 2024, when India avenged that loss against England. Rohit Sharma’s 57 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 47 set up 171/7, but it was Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel’s spin magic—three wickets each—that bowled England out for 103, sealing a massive 68-run victory.
Now, with six semi-final appearances, India eyes another deep run. Their record stands at three wins and two losses in knockouts, a testament to their evolution in the shortest format. Can they finally conquer the final hurdle against England? Fans are holding their breath.