Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match after delivering a match-winning performance in India’s thrilling T20 World Cup semi-final victory over England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Samson smashed a brilliant 89 runs off 42 balls, anchoring India’s powerful batting display and helping the team post a huge total. England fought hard during the chase, with Jacob Bethell scoring a century, but India’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs. The seven-run victory secured India’s place in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, with Samson’s explosive knock proving decisive in the high-scoring contest. (PC: X)

India defeated England by 7 runs in a thrilling ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Batting first, India posted a massive 253/7 in 20 overs, powered by a brilliant 89 off 42 balls from Sanju Samson. England mounted a strong chase, led by Jacob Bethell’s explosive 105 off 48 deliveries, finishing at 246/7 after 20 overs. Despite England’s aggressive batting, India’s bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to defend the total. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya delivered a key bowling performance, helping India secure a place in the final of the tournament after a dramatic contest. (PC: BCCI)

England reached 113/4 after 9.3 overs in their pursuit of 254, with Will Jacks attempting to counter India’s spin attack. Varun Chakaravarthy conceded boundaries, including a powerful pull from Jacks to deep square leg, and figures stood at 2-0-37-1. Jacks rotated strike with a single to long off and moved to 9 off 6 balls. Axar Patel returned to the attack, delivering a shorter ball angling down leg that beat Jacks’ attempted heave and struck his thigh pad. A wide followed as England maintained momentum despite four wickets down. India continue searching for breakthroughs to tighten their grip. (PC: BCCI)

England’s chase of 254 suffered key setbacks despite aggressive strokes. Jacob Bethell attacked Varun Chakaravarthy with three sixes, taking 18 off his first three balls before rotating strike. However, Varun responded by bowling Jos Buttler, reducing England to three down. Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Harry Brook with a slower delivery, brilliantly caught by Axar Patel running back. Brook had looked dangerous after striking a boundary, while Buttler also cleared the ropes in a 13-run over. Arshdeep Singh conceded 10 in one over as England sought momentum. Hardik Pandya earlier delivered a crucial over, conceding just two runs and claiming a wicket to tighten India’s grip.

India piled up a huge 253/7 against England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Sanju Samson led the attack with a blistering 89 off 42 balls. He brought up his fifty in just 26 balls and dominated the England bowlers. Samson was dropped by England captain Harry Brook before reaching the milestone. Ishan Kishan added a quick 39 from 18 balls, while Shivam Dube struck 43 off 25. India crossed 200 in the 17th over as the run rate stayed high. Hardik Pandya smashed two sixes in the final over before being run out. England now need 254 to reach the final. (PC:BCCI)

India are facing England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to field, replacing Rehan Ahmed with Jamie Overton, while India retained an unchanged XI. After Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan launched a counterattack, stitching a record-breaking partnership. Shivam Dube later joined skipper Suryakumar Yadav as India accelerated. At 17 overs, India reached 205/4, having been 190/4 after 15.6 overs, with 13 runs coming in Adil Rashid’s final over. Rashid ended with figures of 4-0-41-2 as the high-scoring semi-final remains in progress. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday about the rising tensions in West Asia. Both leaders expressed concern over the conflict and called for talks to restore peace. “Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi said on X. He added that India and France will continue to work closely for the “early restoration of peace and stability in the region.” The call comes as tensions grow after recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran. France has also moved military assets to the Mediterranean. (PC: X)

The 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Gardens was overshadowed by controversy after Aiden Markram’s dismissal. Chasing momentum, Markram attempted a lofted shot off Rachin Ravindra in the eighth over but was caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell. On-field umpires referred the decision to third umpire Nitin Menon, who ruled Markram out after reviewing replays. However, many viewers felt the ball may have touched the ground, sparking widespread criticism of the decision. Markram scored 18 off 20 balls as South Africa posted 168. Marco Jansen’s 54 off 30 provided late impetus in an otherwise underwhelming batting performance overall.

After his match-winning unbeaten 97 that sent India into the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final, Sanju Samson sparked debate by throwing his helmet in celebration, an act now under scrutiny by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct bars “abuse of cricket equipment,” and such actions can attract fines, demerit points, or, in rare cases, suspension. While some reports suggested a possible ban before India’s India vs England semi-final, experts say sanctions are more likely to be limited to fines or reprimands given the celebratory context and past precedents like George Munsey’s one demerit point for a similar act. (PC: X)

The Iran women’s national football team remained silent during their national anthem before their AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 opener against South Korea in Gold Coast, Australia, amid heightened tensions following US strikes that killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. While no official statement was issued, the gesture was widely viewed as a possible protest against the Islamic regime. Reports said some fans waved pre-Islamic regime flags in the stands. Head coach Marziyeh Jafari also declined to comment and stood silent during the anthem. On the field, Iran suffered a 0-3 defeat to South Korea, with goals from Choe Yu-ri, Kim Hye-ri and Ko Yoo-jin.