{"id":1809337,"date":"2026-03-05T08:03:29","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T05:03:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1809337"},"modified":"2026-03-05T08:03:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T05:03:29","slug":"india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1809337","title":{"rendered":"India news: India reach T20 final in shootout with England"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59oqx<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Sanju Samson did serious damage to England&#8217;s bowlers early in the innings, and teammates like Shivam Dube played meaningful roles alongside him<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>Sanju Samson hits 89 for India as the hosts set huge target for England to chase<\/li>\n<li>Jacob Bethell&#8217;s century propels England to 246, less than 10 runs shy of the target of 253<\/li>\n<li>India will play New Zealand in Sunday&#8217;s final<\/li>\n<li>New Delhi to host global diplomats for Raisina Dialogue 2026<\/li>\n<li>Indian MEA yet to comment on Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean<\/li>\n<li>PM Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb meet in Delhi, discuss Iran<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog is now closed. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Here&#8217;s what was making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">India<\/a> on Thursday, March 5:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76237148\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76237148\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section See you tomorrow<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">See you tomorrow<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>With that,\u00a0it&#8217;s midnight at the Wankhede Stadium in\u00a0Mumbai and we&#8217;ll sign off for another day and leave you to celebrate a fine win.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Delhi team will be up bright and early as always to talk you through tomorrow morning&#8217;s big stories. We hope to see you then.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59slQ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76236574\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76236574\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Celebrations in Mumbai and beyond as India reach final<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Celebrations in Mumbai and beyond as India reach final<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236963\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236963_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Indian players celebrate after their win in the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match against England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Players rushed to celebrate after England fell 7 runs short of the target<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Players on the pitch and spectators around the country cheered the semifinal win over England late on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236900\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236900_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's Jacob Bethell lies on the ground as Indian players celebrate his run out during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The run-out of Jacob Bethell was another late nail in the English coffin, removing the top scorer from the final phase of play<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After each team put on a batting masterclass with a combined 499 runs and 34 sixes\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 19 by India and 15 by England\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 spirits were high in Mumbai&#8217;s Wankhede Stadium and far beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>India will on Sunday bid to become both the first country to retain the T20 World Cup title, and the first country to win it on home soil.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76237019\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76237019_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" India's Axar Patel, left, passes the ball to teammate Shivam Dube to dismiss England's Will Jacks during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Thursday&#8217;s play of the day award might well go to Axar Patel and to a lesser extent Shivam Dube for this tag-team effort to stop a six at the boundary and dismiss Will Jacks<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, New Zealand looked in strong form in the semifinals, holding South Africa to just 169 runs, before Finn Allen&#8217;s record-breaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236990\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236990_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Jasprit Bumrah, right, hugs teammate Sanju Samson to celebrate their win in the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match against England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Both Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson will surely hope to play a meaningful role in Sunday&#8217;s final<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59scA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76236606\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76236606\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section India win T20 World Cup semifinal despite brave bat from England<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">India win T20 World Cup semifinal despite brave bat from England<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>That&#8217;s it. India will defend their T20 World Cup title in Sunday&#8217;s final against New Zealand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Powered by Jacob Bethell&#8217;s flamboyant 105, making him the highest scorer of either semifinal, England finished their innings on 246\/7.<\/p>\n<p>That would be enough to win many a T20 game, but India&#8217;s 253 proved an insurmountable target.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As against the West Indies, it&#8217;s Sanju Samson who&#8217;s liable to hog the headlines in India\u00a0after a second imperious near-century in consecutive games.<\/p>\n<p>But several of India&#8217;s bowlers also chipped in with key wickets at important junctures to ensure that dangerous English batters couldn&#8217;t find their rhythm alongside Bethell.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59scg<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76236332\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76236332\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section England not totally out of touch thanks to Bethell&#8217;s big innings<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">England not totally out of touch thanks to Bethell&#8217;s big innings<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236375\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236375_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's Jacob Bethell plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Bethell has been deep in his bag of tricks, pulling out some unorthodox shots as well as clean drives to rack up his runs<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Challenging as the Indian target looked, this game isn&#8217;t over quite yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s thanks in very large part to Jacob Bethell. His 84\u00a0unbeaten runs off 40 balls constitute nearly half of England&#8217;s entire total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Will Jacks had proved a reliable and longer-lived partner for Bethell, at least for 20 balls, until he fell with 35 runs on the board.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another all-rounder, left-hander Sam Curran has now joined the fray.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England still need 56\u00a0runs, in just 20\u00a0balls, and have lost five of their strongest batsmen. But nevertheless, it&#8217;s looking marginally less\u00a0hopeless than one might have expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59sYG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76236293\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76236293\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Indian fighter aircraft missing from radar contact, search initiated<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Indian fighter aircraft missing from radar contact, search initiated<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Yes, there is also news beyond cricket.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An Indian military aircraft is missing from radar contact.\u00a0It&#8217;s a Russian-designed SU-30 MKI that&#8217;s made under license in India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Indian\u00a0Air Force (IAF)\u00a0said that a search and rescue mission had been initiated, with the plane &#8220;reported overdue.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam, and was last in contact at 7:42 p.m.,&#8221; the IAF said. &#8220;Further details are being ascertained.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59sXd<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76236064\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76236064\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Bethell and Banton go for broke \u2014 briefly<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Bethell and Banton go for broke \u2014 briefly<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>England picked up their scoring rate after drinks as Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton threw caution to the wind, going for repeated sixes and risking an edge or a catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But after Banton had smashed 17 runs off just five deliveries, the aggression came back to bite him.<\/p>\n<p>A slower delivery from Axar Patel made Banton mistime an attempted sweep shot, with the ball sneaking straight through and hitting his stumps.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bethell, who&#8217;s hit five sixes already, has made a\u00a0rapid half century. He&#8217;s now partnered by all rounder Will Jacks, who just found the boundary a couple of times to score his first runs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\">England were 134 runs short of the target half-way through the innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59sTw<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76235620\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76235620\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Salt falls early, captain Brook and keeper Buttler follow soon after<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Salt falls early, captain Brook and keeper Buttler follow soon after<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76235965\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76235965_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Hardik Pandya, center, celebrates with teammate Axar Patel after the dismissal of England's Phil Salt during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Hardik Pandya took the first English scalp and Jasprit Bumrah wasted no time getting on the board himself soon after<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hardik Pandya&#8217;s first over with the ball could not have gone better for India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He gave up just one run in all six balls, and he took the wicket of Phil Salt, who had just 5 runs on the board.<\/p>\n<p>Salt tried to knock Pandya&#8217;s first delivery into the crowd but he edged it skyward instead, and Axar Patel made no mistake gathering up the catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England made some more progress before star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah joined the attack. He immediately claimed the scalp of captain Harry Brook for just 7 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Bethell came\u00a0in for the dismissed skipper and smashed a pair of sixes into the stands.<\/p>\n<p>But before the end of the sixth over, Jos Buttler fell as well for 25. The guests have scored 64\/3 at drinks after six overs, well short of the run rate with three of their most dangerous batters already dismissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59sMm<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76235283\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76235283\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section England&#8217;s Salt and Buttler look to hit hard early <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">England&#8217;s Salt and Buttler look to hit hard early <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Operation &#8220;nothing to lose&#8221; can begin!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have faced their first few balls and they might as well look to do as much early damage as possible. Conservative scoring will not be enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In that spirit, they took an impressive 13 off the first over, including three boundaries.\u00a0But that is more or less exactly the run rate they will need to maintain throughout the innings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59sHL<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76234524\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76234524\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section India final score: 253\/7; England need more than 12 per over<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">India final score: 253\/7; England need more than 12 per over<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>That innings was more or less textbook from the hosts&#8217; perspective.<\/p>\n<p>India have\u00a0set a towering target for England to chase and only a monumental performance with the bat would ruin the day of what must be an\u00a0ecstatic home crowd at present.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Without question Sanju Samson&#8217;s 89 was the highlight of the innings, but Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma all played meaningful roles with the bat to build the overall score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s bowling attack had a pretty miserable outing across the board. Nobody took more than two wickets, everybody was hit for a minimum of 10 runs per over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The teams are taking their break now and England&#8217;s innnings should start soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59s56<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76234471\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76234471\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section India pass 200 mark, despite early exit for Sadav<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">India pass 200 mark, despite early exit for Sadav<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76234767\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234767_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's captain Suryakumar Yadav is stumped out by England's wicketkeeper Jos Buttler during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Suryakumar Yadav was stumped out for just 11, but India&#8217;s total is ticking along nicely<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We&#8217;re entering the last two overs and now&#8217;s the time for the hosts to throw caution to the wind.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Captain Yadav only managed 11 before he was stumped out, as Adil Rashid claimed his second wicket in his fourth and final permitted over bowling.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Shivam Dube has got his eye in nicely and had 43 runs to his name by the time he was run out going for a risky score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hardik Pandya has since taken\u00a0to the field, and he&#8217;s already found the boundary with three fours, including the one that put India past 200 runs in total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Tilak Varma has joined him since Dube&#8217;s dismissal and is swinging for the fences. He&#8217;s smacked three sixes out of the ground already for a rapid 21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59s4F<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76234013\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76234013\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Samson finally falls after mighty 89<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Samson finally falls after mighty 89<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76234697\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234697_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Teammates applaud as India's Sanju Samson walks off the field after losing his wicket during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Samson&#8217;s teammates applauded him after a second consecutive sterling performance at bat<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He hit 97 not out against the West Indies, and has now managed another 89 against England, putting India in pole position at this stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson fell in the same way as his opening partner Sharma: caught by Phil Salt off a delivery from Will Jacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With the exception of Jacks, who&#8217;s taken two wickets at a cost of 19 runs, none\u00a0of England&#8217;s bowlers have exactly flourished so far. But Liam Dawson, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer in particular have been leaking runs, giving up two or more runs per ball on average.<\/p>\n<p>India stand on 170\/3 and still have six overs to bolster that score. Shivam Dube and captain Suryakumar Yadav are at bat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59rwr<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76233238\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76233238\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Samson reaches his half century within 8 overs<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Samson reaches his half century within 8 overs<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76233361\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76233361_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Sanju Samson plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Sanju Samson&#8217;s fine form with the bat continues, pushing India to an impressive early tally<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>India are keeping the scoreboard ticking along nicely, thanks in large part to Sanju Samson.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;d\u00a0scored 74\u00a0of India&#8217;s 126 runs after 36\u00a0deliveries, notching a rapid half century.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve just past the half-way stage in the meantime.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The hosts still have eight wickets to spare and so should be able to start turning up the intensity and taking more risks soon, possibly further increasing their run rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ishan Kishan built a decent partnership with Sanju as he notched a rapid 39. But he was caught out midway through the tenth over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76233335\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76233335_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Ishan Kishan bats during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Ishan Kishan also hit a handy 39 before being caught out by Will Jacks off an Adil Rashid delivery<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59rkM<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76231266\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76231266\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section England win toss and chose to bowl, India&#8217;s Yadav unperturbed<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">England win toss and chose to bowl, India&#8217;s Yadav unperturbed<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76232460\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76232460_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's captain Harry Brook, right, and India's captain Suryakumar Yadav shake hands at the toss ahead of the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">India are batting first after England won the toss; England took an early wicket but Sanju Samson is scoring at a hefty lick in the early going<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The hosts and defending champions will set a target for England to chase.\u00a0Captain Harry Brook put India in to bat after winning the toss.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>India&#8217;s captain Suryakumar Yadav said he&#8217;d hoped to bat first anyway and so was\u00a0happy with the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Abhishek Sharma and wicket keeper Sanju Samson, the hero with the bat in India&#8217;s last game against the West Indies, are the first to take the field, giving India left-handed and right-handed firepower from the start.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson starts in\u00a0fine form, knocking Jofra Archer for a total of 11\u00a0runs,\u00a0a four, a six, a single, before another quick single from Sharma to close out the first\u00a0over.<\/p>\n<p>An early blow followed\u00a0for India in the second over, however. Sharma tried to send a delivery from Will Jacks airborne but got underneath it, and Phil Salt took a relatively simple catch, dismissing Sharma for 9 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Samson, who breathed a sigh of relief when captain Brook dropped a simple catch in the third over, is continuing to knock England&#8217;s bowlers around at a handy pace. He&#8217;s scored 31\u00a0off his first 15\u00a0deliveries, with six boundaries already.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59rEY<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76231000\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76231000\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Polls close in Nepal, first &#8216;trends&#8217; expected on Friday<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Polls close in Nepal, first &#8216;trends&#8217; expected on Friday<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76226180\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76226180_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"People stand in a queue to cast their vote in a polling booth during the parliamentary elections on March 05, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The election commission warned that finalized results could take several days<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Ritesh Shukla\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Polls in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal\/t-69833009\">Nepal<\/a>&#8216;s <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal-elections-gen-z-hopes-for-genuine-political-reforms\/a-76200486\">general election following widespread youth protests<\/a>\u00a0closed at 5 p.m. local time, with the counting process set to start soon after.<\/p>\n<p>Election commission officials said that early trends were likely to emerge on Friday, but also warned that final results could take up to a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As of 3 p.m., with two hours of voting remaining, around half of the country&#8217;s 19 million eligible voters had cast ballots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will work out the final tally of votes cast after the voting closes,&#8221;\u00a0Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, election commission spokesperson said. &#8220;As of now in most of the districts voters&#8217; turnout is more than 50%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In the last election in 2022, final turnout was 61%.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The 275 members of parliament will be elected through a mixed electoral system different from but\u00a0not entirely disimilar to Germany&#8217;s. First-past-the-post races will decide who takes up 165 of the seats, while the other 110 will be allocated based on proportional representation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59rAG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76230616\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115#post-liveblog-post-76230616\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section DW baton passed from Delhi to Bonn<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/05\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 5, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">DW baton passed from Delhi to Bonn<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Mahima&#8217;s reached the end of her working day in Delhi and is off for a well-earned bite of dinner and evening to herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This means\u00a0(with copious apologies for the impropriety!)\u00a0that an Englishman based in Bonn will be accompanying you through the big game in Mumbai in a few minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59r44<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li>Sanju Samson hits 89 for India as the hosts set huge target for England to chase<\/li>\n<li>Jacob Bethell&#8217;s century propels England to 246, less than 10 runs shy of the target of 253<\/li>\n<li>India will play New Zealand in Sunday&#8217;s final<\/li>\n<li>New Delhi to host global diplomats for Raisina Dialogue 2026<\/li>\n<li>Indian MEA yet to comment on Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean<\/li>\n<li>PM Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb meet in Delhi, discuss Iran<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>This blog is now closed. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Here&#8217;s what was making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">India<\/a> on Thursday, March 5:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>This blog is now closed. Thank you for reading.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Here&#8217;s what was making headlines in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india\/t-18996071\">India<\/a> on Thursday, March 5:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>With that,\u00a0it&#8217;s midnight at the Wankhede Stadium in\u00a0Mumbai and we&#8217;ll sign off for another day and leave you to celebrate a fine win.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Delhi team will be up bright and early as always to talk you through tomorrow morning&#8217;s big stories. We hope to see you then.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>With that,\u00a0it&#8217;s midnight at the Wankhede Stadium in\u00a0Mumbai and we&#8217;ll sign off for another day and leave you to celebrate a fine win.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Delhi team will be up bright and early as always to talk you through tomorrow morning&#8217;s big stories. We hope to see you then.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236963\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236963_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Indian players celebrate after their win in the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match against England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. (\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Players rushed to celebrate after England fell 7 runs short of the target<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Players on the pitch and spectators around the country cheered the semifinal win over England late on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236900\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236900_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's Jacob Bethell lies on the ground as Indian players celebrate his run out during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The run-out of Jacob Bethell was another late nail in the English coffin, removing the top scorer from the final phase of play<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After each team put on a batting masterclass with a combined 499 runs and 34 sixes\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 19 by India and 15 by England\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 spirits were high in Mumbai&#8217;s Wankhede Stadium and far beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>India will on Sunday bid to become both the first country to retain the T20 World Cup title, and the first country to win it on home soil.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76237019\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76237019_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" India's Axar Patel, left, passes the ball to teammate Shivam Dube to dismiss England's Will Jacks during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Thursday&#8217;s play of the day award might well go to Axar Patel and to a lesser extent Shivam Dube for this tag-team effort to stop a six at the boundary and dismiss Will Jacks<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>However, New Zealand looked in strong form in the semifinals, holding South Africa to just 169 runs, before Finn Allen&#8217;s record-breaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236990\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236990_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Jasprit Bumrah, right, hugs teammate Sanju Samson to celebrate their win in the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match against England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Both Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson will surely hope to play a meaningful role in Sunday&#8217;s final<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Players on the pitch and spectators around the country cheered the semifinal win over England late on Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After each team put on a batting masterclass with a combined 499 runs and 34 sixes\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 19 by India and 15 by England\u00a0<span data-teams=\"true\">\u2014 spirits were high in Mumbai&#8217;s Wankhede Stadium and far beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>India will on Sunday bid to become both the first country to retain the T20 World Cup title, and the first country to win it on home soil.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, New Zealand looked in strong form in the semifinals, holding South Africa to just 169 runs, before Finn Allen&#8217;s record-breaking unbeaten 100 off just 33 balls.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>That&#8217;s it. India will defend their T20 World Cup title in Sunday&#8217;s final against New Zealand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Powered by Jacob Bethell&#8217;s flamboyant 105, making him the highest scorer of either semifinal, England finished their innings on 246\/7.<\/p>\n<p>That would be enough to win many a T20 game, but India&#8217;s 253 proved an insurmountable target.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As against the West Indies, it&#8217;s Sanju Samson who&#8217;s liable to hog the headlines in India\u00a0after a second imperious near-century in consecutive games.<\/p>\n<p>But several of India&#8217;s bowlers also chipped in with key wickets at important junctures to ensure that dangerous English batters couldn&#8217;t find their rhythm alongside Bethell.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>That&#8217;s it. India will defend their T20 World Cup title in Sunday&#8217;s final against New Zealand.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Powered by Jacob Bethell&#8217;s flamboyant 105, making him the highest scorer of either semifinal, England finished their innings on 246\/7.<\/p>\n<p>That would be enough to win many a T20 game, but India&#8217;s 253 proved an insurmountable target.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As against the West Indies, it&#8217;s Sanju Samson who&#8217;s liable to hog the headlines in India\u00a0after a second imperious near-century in consecutive games.<\/p>\n<p>But several of India&#8217;s bowlers also chipped in with key wickets at important junctures to ensure that dangerous English batters couldn&#8217;t find their rhythm alongside Bethell.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76236375\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76236375_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's Jacob Bethell plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Bethell has been deep in his bag of tricks, pulling out some unorthodox shots as well as clean drives to rack up his runs<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Challenging as the Indian target looked, this game isn&#8217;t over quite yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s thanks in very large part to Jacob Bethell. His 84\u00a0unbeaten runs off 40 balls constitute nearly half of England&#8217;s entire total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Will Jacks had proved a reliable and longer-lived partner for Bethell, at least for 20 balls, until he fell with 35 runs on the board.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another all-rounder, left-hander Sam Curran has now joined the fray.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England still need 56\u00a0runs, in just 20\u00a0balls, and have lost five of their strongest batsmen. But nevertheless, it&#8217;s looking marginally less\u00a0hopeless than one might have expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Challenging as the Indian target looked, this game isn&#8217;t over quite yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s thanks in very large part to Jacob Bethell. His 84\u00a0unbeaten runs off 40 balls constitute nearly half of England&#8217;s entire total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Will Jacks had proved a reliable and longer-lived partner for Bethell, at least for 20 balls, until he fell with 35 runs on the board.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another all-rounder, left-hander Sam Curran has now joined the fray.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England still need 56\u00a0runs, in just 20\u00a0balls, and have lost five of their strongest batsmen. But nevertheless, it&#8217;s looking marginally less\u00a0hopeless than one might have expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Yes, there is also news beyond cricket.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An Indian military aircraft is missing from radar contact.\u00a0It&#8217;s a Russian-designed SU-30 MKI that&#8217;s made under license in India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Indian\u00a0Air Force (IAF)\u00a0said that a search and rescue mission had been initiated, with the plane &#8220;reported overdue.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam, and was last in contact at 7:42 p.m.,&#8221; the IAF said. &#8220;Further details are being ascertained.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yes, there is also news beyond cricket.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>An Indian military aircraft is missing from radar contact.\u00a0It&#8217;s a Russian-designed SU-30 MKI that&#8217;s made under license in India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Indian\u00a0Air Force (IAF)\u00a0said that a search and rescue mission had been initiated, with the plane &#8220;reported overdue.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The aircraft had taken off from Jorhat, Assam, and was last in contact at 7:42 p.m.,&#8221; the IAF said. &#8220;Further details are being ascertained.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>England picked up their scoring rate after drinks as Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton threw caution to the wind, going for repeated sixes and risking an edge or a catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But after Banton had smashed 17 runs off just five deliveries, the aggression came back to bite him.<\/p>\n<p>A slower delivery from Axar Patel made Banton mistime an attempted sweep shot, with the ball sneaking straight through and hitting his stumps.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bethell, who&#8217;s hit five sixes already, has made a\u00a0rapid half century. He&#8217;s now partnered by all rounder Will Jacks, who just found the boundary a couple of times to score his first runs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\">England were 134 runs short of the target half-way through the innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>England picked up their scoring rate after drinks as Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton threw caution to the wind, going for repeated sixes and risking an edge or a catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But after Banton had smashed 17 runs off just five deliveries, the aggression came back to bite him.<\/p>\n<p>A slower delivery from Axar Patel made Banton mistime an attempted sweep shot, with the ball sneaking straight through and hitting his stumps.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Bethell, who&#8217;s hit five sixes already, has made a\u00a0rapid half century. He&#8217;s now partnered by all rounder Will Jacks, who just found the boundary a couple of times to score his first runs.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span data-teams=\"true\">England were 134 runs short of the target half-way through the innings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76235965\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76235965_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Hardik Pandya, center, celebrates with teammate Axar Patel after the dismissal of England's Phil Salt during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Hardik Pandya took the first English scalp and Jasprit Bumrah wasted no time getting on the board himself soon after<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hardik Pandya&#8217;s first over with the ball could not have gone better for India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He gave up just one run in all six balls, and he took the wicket of Phil Salt, who had just 5 runs on the board.<\/p>\n<p>Salt tried to knock Pandya&#8217;s first delivery into the crowd but he edged it skyward instead, and Axar Patel made no mistake gathering up the catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England made some more progress before star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah joined the attack. He immediately claimed the scalp of captain Harry Brook for just 7 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Bethell came\u00a0in for the dismissed skipper and smashed a pair of sixes into the stands.<\/p>\n<p>But before the end of the sixth over, Jos Buttler fell as well for 25. The guests have scored 64\/3 at drinks after six overs, well short of the run rate with three of their most dangerous batters already dismissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hardik Pandya&#8217;s first over with the ball could not have gone better for India.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He gave up just one run in all six balls, and he took the wicket of Phil Salt, who had just 5 runs on the board.<\/p>\n<p>Salt tried to knock Pandya&#8217;s first delivery into the crowd but he edged it skyward instead, and Axar Patel made no mistake gathering up the catch.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England made some more progress before star Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah joined the attack. He immediately claimed the scalp of captain Harry Brook for just 7 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob Bethell came\u00a0in for the dismissed skipper and smashed a pair of sixes into the stands.<\/p>\n<p>But before the end of the sixth over, Jos Buttler fell as well for 25. The guests have scored 64\/3 at drinks after six overs, well short of the run rate with three of their most dangerous batters already dismissed.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Operation &#8220;nothing to lose&#8221; can begin!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have faced their first few balls and they might as well look to do as much early damage as possible. Conservative scoring will not be enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In that spirit, they took an impressive 13 off the first over, including three boundaries.\u00a0But that is more or less exactly the run rate they will need to maintain throughout the innings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Operation &#8220;nothing to lose&#8221; can begin!\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler have faced their first few balls and they might as well look to do as much early damage as possible. Conservative scoring will not be enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In that spirit, they took an impressive 13 off the first over, including three boundaries.\u00a0But that is more or less exactly the run rate they will need to maintain throughout the innings.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>That innings was more or less textbook from the hosts&#8217; perspective.<\/p>\n<p>India have\u00a0set a towering target for England to chase and only a monumental performance with the bat would ruin the day of what must be an\u00a0ecstatic home crowd at present.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Without question Sanju Samson&#8217;s 89 was the highlight of the innings, but Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma all played meaningful roles with the bat to build the overall score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s bowling attack had a pretty miserable outing across the board. Nobody took more than two wickets, everybody was hit for a minimum of 10 runs per over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The teams are taking their break now and England&#8217;s innnings should start soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>That innings was more or less textbook from the hosts&#8217; perspective.<\/p>\n<p>India have\u00a0set a towering target for England to chase and only a monumental performance with the bat would ruin the day of what must be an\u00a0ecstatic home crowd at present.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Without question Sanju Samson&#8217;s 89 was the highlight of the innings, but Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma all played meaningful roles with the bat to build the overall score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s bowling attack had a pretty miserable outing across the board. Nobody took more than two wickets, everybody was hit for a minimum of 10 runs per over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The teams are taking their break now and England&#8217;s innnings should start soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76234767\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234767_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's captain Suryakumar Yadav is stumped out by England's wicketkeeper Jos Buttler during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Suryakumar Yadav was stumped out for just 11, but India&#8217;s total is ticking along nicely<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We&#8217;re entering the last two overs and now&#8217;s the time for the hosts to throw caution to the wind.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Captain Yadav only managed 11 before he was stumped out, as Adil Rashid claimed his second wicket in his fourth and final permitted over bowling.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Shivam Dube has got his eye in nicely and had 43 runs to his name by the time he was run out going for a risky score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hardik Pandya has since taken\u00a0to the field, and he&#8217;s already found the boundary with three fours, including the one that put India past 200 runs in total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Tilak Varma has joined him since Dube&#8217;s dismissal and is swinging for the fences. He&#8217;s smacked three sixes out of the ground already for a rapid 21.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>We&#8217;re entering the last two overs and now&#8217;s the time for the hosts to throw caution to the wind.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Captain Yadav only managed 11 before he was stumped out, as Adil Rashid claimed his second wicket in his fourth and final permitted over bowling.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Shivam Dube has got his eye in nicely and had 43 runs to his name by the time he was run out going for a risky score.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hardik Pandya has since taken\u00a0to the field, and he&#8217;s already found the boundary with three fours, including the one that put India past 200 runs in total.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Tilak Varma has joined him since Dube&#8217;s dismissal and is swinging for the fences. He&#8217;s smacked three sixes out of the ground already for a rapid 21.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76234697\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234697_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Teammates applaud as India's Sanju Samson walks off the field after losing his wicket during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Samson&#8217;s teammates applauded him after a second consecutive sterling performance at bat<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>He hit 97 not out against the West Indies, and has now managed another 89 against England, putting India in pole position at this stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson fell in the same way as his opening partner Sharma: caught by Phil Salt off a delivery from Will Jacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With the exception of Jacks, who&#8217;s taken two wickets at a cost of 19 runs, none\u00a0of England&#8217;s bowlers have exactly flourished so far. But Liam Dawson, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer in particular have been leaking runs, giving up two or more runs per ball on average.<\/p>\n<p>India stand on 170\/3 and still have six overs to bolster that score. Shivam Dube and captain Suryakumar Yadav are at bat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>He hit 97 not out against the West Indies, and has now managed another 89 against England, putting India in pole position at this stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson fell in the same way as his opening partner Sharma: caught by Phil Salt off a delivery from Will Jacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>With the exception of Jacks, who&#8217;s taken two wickets at a cost of 19 runs, none\u00a0of England&#8217;s bowlers have exactly flourished so far. But Liam Dawson, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer in particular have been leaking runs, giving up two or more runs per ball on average.<\/p>\n<p>India stand on 170\/3 and still have six overs to bolster that score. Shivam Dube and captain Suryakumar Yadav are at bat.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76233361\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76233361_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Sanju Samson plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Sanju Samson&#8217;s fine form with the bat continues, pushing India to an impressive early tally<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>India are keeping the scoreboard ticking along nicely, thanks in large part to Sanju Samson.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;d\u00a0scored 74\u00a0of India&#8217;s 126 runs after 36\u00a0deliveries, notching a rapid half century.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve just past the half-way stage in the meantime.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The hosts still have eight wickets to spare and so should be able to start turning up the intensity and taking more risks soon, possibly further increasing their run rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ishan Kishan built a decent partnership with Sanju as he notched a rapid 39. But he was caught out midway through the tenth over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76233335\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76233335_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"India's Ishan Kishan bats during the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Ishan Kishan also hit a handy 39 before being caught out by Will Jacks off an Adil Rashid delivery<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>India are keeping the scoreboard ticking along nicely, thanks in large part to Sanju Samson.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He&#8217;d\u00a0scored 74\u00a0of India&#8217;s 126 runs after 36\u00a0deliveries, notching a rapid half century.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve just past the half-way stage in the meantime.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The hosts still have eight wickets to spare and so should be able to start turning up the intensity and taking more risks soon, possibly further increasing their run rate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Ishan Kishan built a decent partnership with Sanju as he notched a rapid 39. But he was caught out midway through the tenth over.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76232460\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76232460_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"England's captain Harry Brook, right, and India's captain Suryakumar Yadav shake hands at the toss ahead of the T20 World Cup cricket semi-final match between India and England in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">India are batting first after England won the toss; England took an early wicket but Sanju Samson is scoring at a hefty lick in the early going<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The hosts and defending champions will set a target for England to chase.\u00a0Captain Harry Brook put India in to bat after winning the toss.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>India&#8217;s captain Suryakumar Yadav said he&#8217;d hoped to bat first anyway and so was\u00a0happy with the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Abhishek Sharma and wicket keeper Sanju Samson, the hero with the bat in India&#8217;s last game against the West Indies, are the first to take the field, giving India left-handed and right-handed firepower from the start.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson starts in\u00a0fine form, knocking Jofra Archer for a total of 11\u00a0runs,\u00a0a four, a six, a single, before another quick single from Sharma to close out the first\u00a0over.<\/p>\n<p>An early blow followed\u00a0for India in the second over, however. Sharma tried to send a delivery from Will Jacks airborne but got underneath it, and Phil Salt took a relatively simple catch, dismissing Sharma for 9 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Samson, who breathed a sigh of relief when captain Brook dropped a simple catch in the third over, is continuing to knock England&#8217;s bowlers around at a handy pace. He&#8217;s scored 31\u00a0off his first 15\u00a0deliveries, with six boundaries already.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The hosts and defending champions will set a target for England to chase.\u00a0Captain Harry Brook put India in to bat after winning the toss.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>India&#8217;s captain Suryakumar Yadav said he&#8217;d hoped to bat first anyway and so was\u00a0happy with the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Abhishek Sharma and wicket keeper Sanju Samson, the hero with the bat in India&#8217;s last game against the West Indies, are the first to take the field, giving India left-handed and right-handed firepower from the start.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Samson starts in\u00a0fine form, knocking Jofra Archer for a total of 11\u00a0runs,\u00a0a four, a six, a single, before another quick single from Sharma to close out the first\u00a0over.<\/p>\n<p>An early blow followed\u00a0for India in the second over, however. Sharma tried to send a delivery from Will Jacks airborne but got underneath it, and Phil Salt took a relatively simple catch, dismissing Sharma for 9 runs.<\/p>\n<p>Samson, who breathed a sigh of relief when captain Brook dropped a simple catch in the third over, is continuing to knock England&#8217;s bowlers around at a handy pace. He&#8217;s scored 31\u00a0off his first 15\u00a0deliveries, with six boundaries already.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76226180\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76226180_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"People stand in a queue to cast their vote in a polling booth during the parliamentary elections on March 05, 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal. \"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The election commission warned that finalized results could take several days<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Ritesh Shukla\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Polls in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal\/t-69833009\">Nepal<\/a>&#8216;s <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal-elections-gen-z-hopes-for-genuine-political-reforms\/a-76200486\">general election following widespread youth protests<\/a>\u00a0closed at 5 p.m. local time, with the counting process set to start soon after.<\/p>\n<p>Election commission officials said that early trends were likely to emerge on Friday, but also warned that final results could take up to a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As of 3 p.m., with two hours of voting remaining, around half of the country&#8217;s 19 million eligible voters had cast ballots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will work out the final tally of votes cast after the voting closes,&#8221;\u00a0Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, election commission spokesperson said. &#8220;As of now in most of the districts voters&#8217; turnout is more than 50%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In the last election in 2022, final turnout was 61%.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The 275 members of parliament will be elected through a mixed electoral system different from but\u00a0not entirely disimilar to Germany&#8217;s. First-past-the-post races will decide who takes up 165 of the seats, while the other 110 will be allocated based on proportional representation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Polls in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal\/t-69833009\">Nepal<\/a>&#8216;s <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nepal-elections-gen-z-hopes-for-genuine-political-reforms\/a-76200486\">general election following widespread youth protests<\/a>\u00a0closed at 5 p.m. local time, with the counting process set to start soon after.<\/p>\n<p>Election commission officials said that early trends were likely to emerge on Friday, but also warned that final results could take up to a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>As of 3 p.m., with two hours of voting remaining, around half of the country&#8217;s 19 million eligible voters had cast ballots.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will work out the final tally of votes cast after the voting closes,&#8221;\u00a0Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, election commission spokesperson said. &#8220;As of now in most of the districts voters&#8217; turnout is more than 50%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In the last election in 2022, final turnout was 61%.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The 275 members of parliament will be elected through a mixed electoral system different from but\u00a0not entirely disimilar to Germany&#8217;s. First-past-the-post races will decide who takes up 165 of the seats, while the other 110 will be allocated based on proportional representation.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Mahima&#8217;s reached the end of her working day in Delhi and is off for a well-earned bite of dinner and evening to herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This means\u00a0(with copious apologies for the impropriety!)\u00a0that an Englishman based in Bonn will be accompanying you through the big game in Mumbai in a few minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mahima&#8217;s reached the end of her working day in Delhi and is off for a well-earned bite of dinner and evening to herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This means\u00a0(with copious apologies for the impropriety!)\u00a0that an Englishman based in Bonn will be accompanying you through the big game in Mumbai in a few minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/india-news-india-reach-t20-final-in-shootout-with-england\/live-76222115&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76234733_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59oqx Sanju Samson did serious damage to England&#8217;s bowlers early in the innings, and teammates like Shivam Dube played meaningful roles alongside himImage: Rafiq Maqbool\/AP Photo\/picture alliance Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Sanju Samson hits 89 for India as the hosts set huge target [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1809337","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1809337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1809337"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1809337\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1809337"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1809337"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1809337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}