T20 World Cup: Jacob Bethell floors India with majestic century
What's the story
England's Jacob Bethell punctured India in the 2nd semi-final of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Chasing a mammoth target of 254 runs, Bethell hit a superb hundred. The match is being held at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Bethell completed his ton in the 19th over. He was eventually run out for 105 off 48 balls in the 20th over.
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Bethell completes a 45-ball hundred
Bethell got to his century with a six off Hardik Pandya's bowling in the 19th over. A slower length ball angled away outside off by Pandya saw the southpaw go hard as he sliced it wide of long-off.
Knock
Two crucial stands on offer
England were hurt by quick wickets as they were 64/3 inside the powerplay overs. A 31-run stand between Bethell and Tom Banton kept the scoring rate in sync. Thereafter, Will Jacks joined Bethell and the two added a 77-run stand from just 39 balls. Bethell was also part of a 50-run stand alongside Sam Curran. Bethell was run out in the 20th over.
Record
2nd-fastest hundred in T20 World Cup (by balls)
Bethell now owns the 2nd-fastest century in T20 World Cup (by balls). Fastest 100s in T20 WC (by balls) 33 - Finn Allen vs SA, Kolkata, 2026 SF 45 - Jacob Bethell vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026 SF 47 - Chris Gayle vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2016 50 - Chris Gayle vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007 50 - Harry Brook vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026
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Highest individual score in T20 World Cup knockouts
Bethell has recorded the highest individual score in T20 World Cup knockouts. He surpassed the 100* of New Zealand's Finn Allen. The Kiwi batsman attained the mark against South Africa. Meanwhile, Tillakaratne Dilshan's 96* versus WI, The Oval, 2009 (semis) is the 3rd-highest score.
Runs
Maiden T20 hundred for Bethell
Bethell hit 8 fours and 7 sixes, striking at 218.75. Playing his 97th T20, Bethell owns 1,843 runs at 24.57 from 90 innings, as per ESPNcricinfo. He hammered his maiden T20 hundred (50s: 9). Bethell is three shy of 100 sixes (97). 697 of his T20 runs have come for England in T20Is at 29.04 (100s: 1, 50s: 3).
Feats
Bethell attains these feats with a century
Bethell is the first England player to smash a hundred in T20Is against India. Bethell is the 4th England player with a century in T20 World Cup. He joined the likes of Hales (116* vs SL in 2014), Buttler (101* vs SL in 2021), and Harry Brook (100 vs PAK in 2026). Bethell is the first to hit a T20 WC ton against India.
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India win by 7 runs
India reached the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup final. They defeated England in the 2nd semi-final on Thursday by a margin of 7 runs. England finished with a score of 246/7 in 20 overs.