Jacob Bethell of England (ANI Photo) England young batsman Jacob Bethell produced a stunning performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup T20 semi-final against the Indian national cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Although England eventually lost the match by seven runs, Bethell’s sensational century turned the chase into a thrilling contest and etched his name in the record books.Fastest 100 in T20 WC (by balls taken)33 – Finn Allen Vs. SA, Kolkata, 2026 SF45 – Jacob Bethell vs IND, Mumbai WS, 202647 – Chris Gayle vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 201650 – Chris Gayle vs SA, Johannesburg, 200750 – Harry Brook vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026Chasing a massive target of 254, Bethell produced a fearless knock of 105 off just 48 balls. The left-hander attacked from the start and kept England in the hunt with a series of powerful shots. His innings was the highlight of England’s chase as the team finished on 246 for seven.
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The century was historic for many reasons. Bethell scored the fastest hundred by an England batsman in T20 World Cup history. His fifty also came in just 19 balls, the joint-fastest half-century in T20 World Cup knockout matches. Finn Allen had earlier achieved the same milestone in 19 balls against South Africa in the first semi-final of the tournament.The 19-ball fifty also became England’s fastest in T20 World Cups, surpassing the previous record of Will Jacks, who had earlier achieved a 21-ball half-century in the competition against Italy.Despite Bethell’s extraordinary effort, England could not complete the chase. Earlier in the evening, India posted a massive 253 on the board. Sanju Samson led the charge with a brilliant 89 off 42 balls, while Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma also chipped in with quick runs.India’s bowlers held their nerve in the final stages of the chase. Hardik Pandya picked up two wickets while Jasprit Bumrah bowled a disciplined spell to finish with figures of 1 for 33.The match also made history with a total of 499 runs, which became the second highest match total in men’s T20 internationals. Despite finishing on the losing side, Bethell’s record century will be remembered as one of the most explosive knocks of the tournament and the fastest ever by an England batsman in a T20 World Cup.
