India vice-captain Axar Patel revealed he was prepared to bowl the final of the dramatic T20 World Cup semi-final against England in Mumbai with the visitors needing 30 runs off the last six balls to claim an unlikely win.
IND vs ENG T20 WORLD CUP 2026: MAIN | SCORECARD
India eventually handed the ball to Shivam Dube who successfully defended the total to seal a thrilling seven-run victory to send the hosts into the final against New Zealand. But Axar said he is ready if skipper Suryakumar Yadav asks him to take charge.
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Speaking to Star Sports after the match, the all-rounder said that he had already started preparing for the possibility when he was on a long layoff. Despite the match turning into a high-scoring match, Axar joked that he was confident of not letting go of the five sixes in the over.
“Mai ready tha. Mai long away 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 prepared. I was on a long break and had already practiced the final over. Thirty runs was too much and I knew I wouldn’t even get five sixes in the over.)
India beat England by seven runs in a nerve-wracking semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium to move a step closer to defending their T20 World Cup crown. The visitors posted an impressive 253 for 7 after Sanju Samson played a sensational knock of 89 off 42 balls, with valuable contributions coming from Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya.
England launched a spirited chase despite an early setback, youngster 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 mounted significantly when Jasprit Bumrah returned in the 16th over to concede just eight runs, forcing England to look for boundaries elsewhere. Arshdeep Singh almost bowled a perfect 18th over but Bethell hit a six and a four off the last two balls to reduce the equation to 45 runs from 18 deliveries.
The momentum definitely swung back in India’s favor as Bumrah bowled another superb over, conceding just six runs to take England further past the required rate. Bethell briefly revived hope by smashing a six off the first ball of the penultimate over to bring up his century, but Hardik Pandya responded strongly, conceding just three more runs in the over.
This meant England needed 30 runs from the last six balls. Axar Patel was the only left-arm specialist bowler but skipper 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 seal the victory and confirm India’s place in the final.
Suryakumar also credited the improvement in India’s fielding for playing a key role in the win and praised fielding coach T Dilip for the team’s progress in the department.
“We have to credit T Dilip, our fielding coach. The boys are responding well. The boys have gone the extra yard, it shows,” Suryakumar said during the post-match presentation.
The Indian skipper admitted that there will be both pressure and excitement in the team ahead of Sunday’s final.
“We are 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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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
March 6, 2026 0:17 AM IST
