MUMBAI – Sanju Samson delivered a masterclass in T20 aggression, scoring 89 off 42 balls against England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final 2 at Wankhede. With 8 fours and 7 sixes, he matched Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian in a T20 WC knockout game, a feat first achieved in 2016 against West Indies.
This was Samson’s second successive fifty in the tournament, following his match-winning 97* versus West Indies that clinched a semi-final berth. His rapid 26-ball half-century set the tone as India recovered from Abhishek Sharma’s early dismissal.
England opted to field after winning the toss. Sharma fell for 9 off 7 balls with two fours, but Samson partnered with Ishan Kishan for 97 runs in 45 balls and then with Shivam Dube for 43 in 22 deliveries. India reached 160/3 in 13.1 overs, showcasing Samson’s ability to dominate under pressure.
Earlier struggles against Namibia and Zimbabwe had put Samson under the scanner, but his recent form – especially the Eden Gardens heroics – proves his mettle. Kohli’s list of big scores features 77 (vs SL, 2014) and 76 (vs SA, 2024), with Gambhir’s 75 (vs Pak, 2007) also notable. Samson’s knock not only equals history but positions India strongly in the semi-final showdown.