Mumbai erupted in cheers as Team India unleashed a batting blitz in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 against England at Wankhede Stadium. Opting to bat first, the Men in Blue posted a staggering 253 for 7 in 20 overs, shattering records and setting a new benchmark for knockout-stage fireworks.
This explosive total eclipsed West Indies’ long-standing 205 for 4 from their 2012 semi-final triumph over Australia, a mark that had stood for 14 years. India’s innings not only claimed the highest score in T20 World Cup knockouts but also marked their second-highest in the tournament’s history and the third overall. Remarkably, this was the sixth time India has breached the 250-run barrier in T20Is, underlining their dominance in high-scoring games.
The onslaught featured 37 boundaries – 18 fours and a tournament-record 19 sixes – surpassed only by Sri Lanka’s 41 in 2007 against Kenya. With 88 sixes already in the tournament, India holds the T20 World Cup record for most maximums.
Early jitters saw Abhishek Sharma depart for 9, but Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and Sanju Samson (89 off 42) stitched a blistering 97-run stand off 45 balls for the second wicket. Shivam Dube chipped in with 43 off 25, while Tilak Varma (21 off 7) and Hardik Pandya (27 with 3 fours and 2 sixes) unleashed havoc in the death overs. England’s Will Jacks and Adil Rashid grabbed 2 wickets each, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide.
As England faces the daunting chase under Wankhede’s lights, India’s batters have handed their bowlers a golden platform to storm into the final. This performance cements India’s reputation as T20 powerhouse, blending aggression with tactical brilliance.