Thunderous applause echoed through Mumbai’s Wankhede as India scripted a batting epic in the T20 World Cup 2026 second semi-final versus England. Choosing to set the tone first, Team India bludgeoned 253 for 7, claiming the crown for the biggest score in T20 WC knockout history.
Shattering West Indies’ 14-year-old 205 for 4 against Australia in 2012, this knock slots as India’s second-highest in the tournament and third overall. It extends their lead with a sixth 250+ T20I total, showcasing unmatched firepower.
Powerplay defined the innings with 37 boundaries – 18 fours complemented by 19 sixes – cementing India’s record 88 sixes for the event. Sri Lanka’s 41 in 2007 remains the lone superior boundary haul.
A shaky start with Abhishek Sharma’s 9 gave way to Ishan Kishan’s explosive 39 (18 balls) and Sanju Samson’s masterful 89 (42 balls), yielding 97 runs in 45 balls. Shivam Dube (43 off 25) kept the pedal down, with Tilak Varma (21 off 7) and Hardik Pandya (27, featuring 3 fours and 2 sixes) exploding at the death. Will Jacks and Adil Rashid shared four wickets for England.
England’s chase looms large, but India’s batters have crafted a near-impregnable fortress. This record-shattering performance signals India’s readiness to dominate the finals, blending youth verve with seasoned strike power.