England Lose T20 World Cup Semifinal to India by Seven Runs

England's cricket team concluded a challenging winter campaign with a narrow seven-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup semifinal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, falling short in a high-scoring thriller that marked the highest total in the tournament's history by 45 runs. The loss ended a period that included a disappointing Ashes series in Australia but featured strong white-ball performances, leaving head coach Brendon McCullum's position secure as the team looks ahead to the home summer.

India posted 253 for six in their 20 overs, powered by Sanju Samson's explosive 89 off 42 balls after an early dropped catch by England captain Harry Brook when the batsman was on 15. England's bowlers struggled on the batting-friendly pitch, unable to adjust lengths effectively against the hosts' deep lineup of clean strikers. In response, England chased aggressively, reaching 246 for eight, highlighted by Jacob Bethell's maiden T20 international century of 105 off 48 balls. However, two brilliant catches by India's Axar Patel proved decisive: a spectacular backward-running effort to dismiss Brook for seven in the fifth over and a relay catch with Shivam Dube to remove Will...