India’s vice-captain Axar Patel has revealed that he was ready to bowl the final over of the dramatic T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Mumbai when the visitors needed 30 runs off the last six balls to pull off an unlikely win.
IND vs ENG T20 WORLD CUP 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
India eventually handed the ball to Shivam Dube, who successfully defended the total and sealed a thrilling seven-run victory to send the hosts into the final against New Zealand. But Axar said he was prepared if captain Suryakumar Yadav had asked him to take on the responsibility.
Speaking to Star Sports after the match, the all-rounder said he had already started preparing for the possibility while standing at long-off. Despite the match turning into a high-scoring contest, Axar joked that he was confident he would not concede five sixes in the over.
“Mai ready tha. Mai long off pe khada tha aur ready tha aur bowling practice bhi kar raha tha. 30 runs to bohot, 5 chakke to nahi khaunga ye pata tha,” Axar said with a laugh. (I was ready. I was standing at long-off and was already practising the final over. Thirty runs were too many and I knew I wouldn’t get hit for five sixes in an over.)
India defeated England by seven runs in a nerve-wracking semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium to move one step closer to defending their T20 World Cup crown. The hosts posted a formidable 253 for 7 after Sanju Samson produced a sensational knock of 89 off 42 balls, with valuable contributions coming from Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya.
England mounted a spirited chase despite an early setback, with young Jacob Bethell leading the charge with a breathtaking 105 off just 48 balls. The visitors kept pace with the required rate for most of the innings, but India’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing stages.
The pressure built significantly when Jasprit Bumrah returned for the 16th over and conceded just eight runs, forcing England to find boundaries elsewhere. Arshdeep Singh nearly delivered a perfect 18th over, but Bethell struck a six and a four off the last two balls to bring the equation down to 45 runs from 18 deliveries.
The momentum swung back decisively in India’s favour when Bumrah bowled another superb over, conceding just six runs to push England further behind the asking rate. Bethell briefly reignited hope by smashing a six off the first ball of the penultimate over to bring up his century, but Hardik Pandya responded strongly and gave away only three more runs in the over.
That left England needing 30 runs from the final six balls. Axar Patel was the only specialist bowler with an over left, but captain Suryakumar Yadav opted for Shivam Dube to bowl the final over despite the all-rounder not having bowled earlier in the innings. Dube held his nerve under pressure to close out the win and confirm India’s place in the final.
Suryakumar also credited India’s improved fielding effort for playing a key role in the victory and praised fielding coach T Dilip for the team’s progress in the department.
“We need to give credit to T Dilip, our fielding coach. Boys are responding well. Guys have been going the extra yard, that’s showing up,” Suryakumar said during the post-match presentation.
The Indian captain admitted that there will be both pressure and excitement within the squad ahead of the final on Sunday.
“Going for the title in India, there will be pressure, but the players and support staff will be excited,” he added.
India will now face New Zealand in the final as they look to successfully defend their T20 World Cup title.
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