Sanju Samson’s scintillating 89 off 42 balls laid the platform for India to pile up a massive 253-7 against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final in Mumbai on Thursday.
The in-form opener, who made 97 not out against the West Indies in the previous match, hit seven sixes and eight fours to thrill a raucous home crowd at the famous Wankhede stadium.
The hosts flayed England’s attack to all parts of the ground, hitting 19 sixes and 18 fours, meaning Harry Brook’s side will need a T20 World Cup record chase of 254 to reach the final.
Samson signalled his intent with a four and six off Jofra Archer’s first over after Brook won the toss and decided to bowl.
Will Jacks took the second over and struck a blow for England when Abhishek Sharma (9) lifted the off-spinner to Phil Salt at deep midwicket.
Samson was given a life on 15 when Brook dropped a simple chance at mid-off off Archer.
It proved a costly mistake as, helped by some ill-disciplined bowling, Samson raced to his half-century off 26 balls with another huge six as Liam Dawson’s first over was pummelled for 19 runs.
Ishan Kishan put on 97 from 48 balls with Samson for the second wicket before the left-hander holed out to Jacks off Adil Rashid in the 10th over to make it 117-2.
Samson powered on until Jacks returned to have him caught by Salt in the deep in the 14th over at which point India were 160-3.
Shivam Dube continued the onslaught with 43 off 25 balls with four sixes before being run out by Brook’s direct hit.
Hardik Pandya hit 27 off 12 balls late on and Tilak Varma 21 off seven balls to take India past the 250 mark.
Jacks was the pick of the England bowlers with 2-26 but the wayward Archer was plundered, taking 1-61 off his four overs.
New Zealand who beat South Africa on Wednesday, await the victors in Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad.
Source: AFP
--Agencies
