In the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Jacob Bethell's explosive 105 off 48 balls nearly guided England to a record chase of India's 253-6, but a final-over run out handed India a seven-run win and a final spot vs New Zealand. Bethell became the youngest Englishman with centuries in all three formats amid record 65 million concurrent viewers.
Jacob Bethell's sensational 105 off 48 balls (eight fours, seven sixes)—featuring a switch hit off Varun Chakravarthy and reverse scoop against Hardik Pandya—lit up England's chase in the second semi-final of the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. Despite the defeat (England 246-7), the 22-year-old's knock marked his third international century—one per format—making him the youngest Englishman to achieve the feat, behind Harry Brook, Dawid Malan, and Jos Buttler.
Bethell kept England in the hunt for a record 254 until his dive in the final over resulted in a run out, sealing India's thrilling seven-run victory. Even Indian fans applauded his effort as he departed face down in the dirt. Reflecting post-match, Bethell compared it to his Ashes Test 154: "They're not comparable, really. The skills and mental thinking are different but both feelings are pretty good. But both of them have come in losing causes, which is a weird feeling." He joked with captain Brook about their rivalry: "Me and Brooky were joking about who was going to be the first to get all three between us. He'll always have that up on me but it's been special."
Brook hailed Bethell as 'phenomenal,' crediting him with nearly stealing the match. The game shattered records with 499 aggregate runs, 34 sixes, and 65.2 million concurrent viewers on JioHotstar—a global high—plus 619 million total views. ICC Chairman Jay Shah noted: "This World Cup will be remembered as much for its on-field play as for how millions celebrated the sport."
England's campaign ends mixed, but Bethell solidifies his multi-format future. After a brief Barbados return, he joins Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2026.
