Mumbai, (UNI) “Oh my God! How much more do we need to score against you guys?”
India captain Suryakumar Yadav recalled telling England skipper Harry Brook during a breathless run-chase in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, summing up the tension of a contest that swung wildly before India finally sealed a place in the final.
Despite putting up a daunting total earlier in the evening, India were made to sweat by England’s aggressive reply, which kept the required rate within reach deep into the innings.
“It was a good wicket. The way they batted, I don’t want to take credit away from them. They were always in the game and always in the chase,” Suryakumar said after the match.
India’s total had been built around a commanding knock from Sanju Samson, whose fearless strokeplay ensured the hosts finished with a formidable score. According to the captain, Samson walked in with a clear plan and stuck to it despite wickets falling around him.
“I think he knew what he wanted to do as soon as he went in to bat. Even when a wicket fell, he knew the wicket was good, so he kept pressing the pedal. The way he batted was exactly what the team required,” Suryakumar said.
The skipper added that the innings was a reward for the effort Samson had been putting in over the past year.
“It was due after all the hard work he’s been putting in over the last year. It was a special knock today,” he noted.
England’s spirited pursuit threatened to overshadow that effort until India’s bowlers produced a decisive turnaround in the closing stages. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh led the fightback, tightening the screws when the game appeared to be slipping away.
“We all know what Bumrah is capable of and what he’s done for India over the years. He did the same thing again today, raised his hand and showed character to pull the game away from them,” Suryakumar said.
India’s fielding also played a crucial role in the outcome, with the captain crediting fielding coach T Dilip for instilling a competitive edge in practice sessions.
“The way he’s been working with the boys, making the sessions fun and competitive, the boys have responded really well. Even after their personal skill sessions they put in extra work for the team, and that’s showing on the field,” he said.
Suryakumar also explained the tactical decision to promote Shivam Dube up the order against England leg-spinner Adil Rashid, describing it as a match-up call.
“In this team everything is settled till number three, so we didn’t want to change anything. But when we saw Rashid bowling from one end, Dube was a perfect match-up,” he said.
Even with the victory secured, the captain admitted the intensity of the chase had left him visibly anxious on the sidelines.
“Very nervous! If someone had checked my heart rate, it would have easily been 160–175. But that’s part of the game,” he said.
The packed stands also left an impression on the skipper, who said the crowd had filled the stadium long before the match began.
“The moment we came in for warm-ups, the stadium was already 75–80 per cent full. That shows how badly they wanted India to do well today,” he said.
India will now travel to Ahmedabad for the final, with Suryakumar acknowledging that the stakes will bring both pressure and excitement.
“There will definitely be pressure and nerves, especially playing in India and going for the title. But the boys and the whole support staff are excited as well,” he added.
