Kumble hails Pandya's 'temperament,' Sehwag, Zaheer feel fielding was the difference as India reach T20 World Cup final

India kept their title hopes alive with a thrilling 7-run win over England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sanju Samson, with his 89 off 42, and Jasprit Bumrah, with his bowling figures of 1/33, starred as India reached the final, where they will face New Zealand in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The match was a rollercoaster ride for fans of both teams. India posted a massive 253/7, powered by Samson’s brilliant innings, while England fought back with Jacob Bethell scoring a sensational 105 from just 48 balls. England got close to target, needing 45 from the last three overs, but Hardik Pandya and Bumrah held their nerve at the death.

Anil Kumble, Faf du Plessis laud Hardik Pandya

Former India cricketer Anil Kumble lauded Hardik’s temperament in the game, saying he did well in the penultimate over despite batters looking to target him. Kumble also highlighted how Hardik has improved a lot in terms of bowling over the past few years.

“In terms of skills, yes. I mean, we saw that against Butler with the new ball. He was taking the ball away, he was bringing the ball back in. He hits the deck. He’s bowling at good pace. So, yes, he certainly has, you know, taken his bowling to a notch,” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.

“And once again, when you said, you know, the temperament that he showed, when both the batters, when they faced Bumrah, they were saying, Okay, only if it’s there, we’re going to go for it. Otherwise, we know that it’s only gonna be yorker. Let’s not give him a wicket. Doesn’t matter, six, seven runs, whatever runs come, we’ll target the next over. When, that’s the message that comes across, and then you come for that over, to bowl that over, and then do what you, what he did, was outstanding. I mean, that shows you that he has a temperament,” he added.

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Faf du Plessis also praised Hardik’s effort in the game, saying, “Big temperament. And that for me is worth as much as a skill. It’s a character trait that you’re looking for. Even when you’re picking players, you sometimes pick character before talent and skill because you see it. And then, you know, this guy is made for the big stage.”

Hardik started strong for India with the new ball, taking the wicket of Phil Salt in the powerplay. He then delivered a brilliant penultimate over, dismissing Sam Curran and conceding just 9 runs. He also executed a perfect run-out to remove set batter Jacob Bethell in the final over to end England’s challenge.

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Zaheer Khan on why England lost the match

Former India cricketers Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan couldn’t believe how close the game finished. “The match was very good, and everyone thought that if we went for runs in this over or if Sam Curran didn’t get out or the catch went for six, the match could have been even more interesting. But I had said that they can make up to 250 runs. We will still win by 3 runs,” Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

Zaheer Khan added, “No, it was an amazing semi-final. When we got 250-plus runs, we knew that it wouldn’t be that easy. India will always be in the game. But since the beginning, even the way Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks made the tempo, you could see how the England batters were putting pressure on us again and again. We have to praise them for that, the way they fought.”

Zaheer also highlighted the role of fielding, saying, “I think the only difference between the two teams was the difference in fielding. If England had caught the chances, the impact would have been 5, 10, 15, 20 runs. Everyone expected a high-scoring match, and there was an absolute box-office feeling and it was a super hit.”

India will now take on New Zealand in the final on Sunday, hoping to defend their T20 World Cup title and become the first team to do so.