India faced England in Semi-Final 2 of the T20 World Cup 2026, with England captain Jhari Brook winning the toss and opting to bowl first in the high-stakes knockout clash. The pressure was evident right from the start as India lost Abhishek Sharma early. The left-hander managed just 9 runs off 7 deliveries, once again failing to convert his start and putting the Indian top order under immediate scrutiny.

But in big matches, India needed someone to take charge and Sanju Samson answered the call. Fresh from his unbeaten 97 against West Indies in the must-win Super 8 clash, Samson walked in with confidence and clarity. He looked composed from ball one, absorbing the early pressure before shifting gears beautifully. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression.

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Samson took on the English attack with authority. He was particularly strong square of the wicket, punishing anything short, while also stepping out confidently against the spinners. His timing was crisp, his placement precise, and most importantly, his intent was clear — keep India ahead of the game.

In a high-pressure semi-final, Samson played one of his finest T20 World Cup knocks, scoring a brilliant 89 off just 42 deliveries. His innings was laced with boundaries and clean strikes that kept the scoreboard ticking at a rapid rate. Just when it looked like he was set to take India to an even bigger total, he was dismissed by Will Jacks, falling short of what could have been a memorable century.

Despite missing out on the three-figure mark, Samson’s knock was pure class. It was an innings built on responsibility and fearless strokeplay — exactly what India required after the early setback.

From an unbeaten 97 in the Super 8 to a commanding 89 in the semi-final, Sanju Samson has risen to the occasion when it has mattered the most. In crunch moments, he has delivered performances worthy of the grand stage, once again proving why he remains one of India’s most impactful batters in T20 cricket.