Tension gripped Wankhede as India edged England by 7 runs in semifinal-2, thanks to Sanju Samson’s blistering 89 off 42 balls – 7 sixes, 8 fours – clinching Player of the Match and a final berth.
His 97-run stand with Ishan Kishan in 45 balls rescued India to 253/7 batting first post-toss loss. England mustered 246/7 in pursuit, falling agonizingly short.
Samson, beaming, said, ‘Overjoyed. Form was knocking since last outing; had to nurture it. Crucial internationals test you – I maximized by pacing smartly post early fortune, sustaining flow through prep.’
Pitch analysis followed: ‘Wankhede’s unpredictability means maximize every opportunity. Chasing 250 isn’t rare; England batted brilliantly – a semifinal for the ages.’
Team praise ensued: ‘We know these conditions well. Performance was spot-on; Bumrah deserves shoutouts. Here, aggression trumps milestones; natural centuries happen. Delivering for India feels unreal.’
Final fever builds: March 8, Narendra Modi Stadium, India vs New Zealand – Samson’s momentum a major weapon.