IND VS ENG T20 WC26: Sanju Samson Continues Red-Hot Form, Smashes 26-Ball Fifty In Semi-Final

Sanju Samson continued his red hot form with yet another blistering batting display at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Continuing from his record 97 against West Indies, Sanju added another half-century in a crunch semi-final game against England. The CSK opener reached his milestone in just 26 balls.

Samson continued from where left off in a brutal assault on the English attack. The CSK superstar set the ball rolling with a boundary and a six in the first over off Jofra Archer. He was handed a reprieve as England captain Harry Brook dropped him at mid off in the third over.

Despite that, Samson did not take his foot off the pedal in a display of perfect T20 batting. In an insult to injury, Sanju hit a six two balls later. He finished the over with a delightful late dab to the boundary.

He reached his half-century in just 26 balls, making full use of the conditions on effect. It was his second consecutive half-century, building a a strong partnership with Ishan Kishan who joined him at No.3.

Sanju eventually managed 89 off just 42 balls, setting up India for a score in excess of 250. The Kerala superstar struck eight boundaries and seven sixes during his stay at the crease, putting pressure on the England attack.

It is quite the turnaround for the Indian opener who was dropped from the playing XI earlier in the tournament. He has now turned up with knocks of 97 and 89 to power India's charge to possibly yet another final. It is the joint highest score by an Indian in a T20 WC semi-final, equalling Virat Kohli's 89 off 47 against West Indies at the Wankhede in 2016.