England's Jacob Bethell kept them in the hunt for a record chase at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Chasing a record 254, 21-year-old Jacob Bethell stroked his maiden T20I century against a world class Indian attack. The left-hander, who will play for RCB in IPL 2026, got the milestone in 45 balls, the second fastest in T20 WC history.
Fastest 100s in T20 WC
33 - Finn Allen vs SA, Kolkata, 2026 SF
45 - Jacob Bethell vs IND, Mumbai WS, 2026
47 - Chris Gayle vs ENG, Mumbai WS, 2016
50 - Chris Gayle vs SA, Johannesburg, 2007
50 - Harry Brook vs PAK, Pallekele, 2026
Set a daunting target of 254, Jacob Bethell walked into bat with his side in trouble. The visitors lost Phil Salt and Harry Brook inside the powerplay, with the left-hander walked in with the score at 38/2 in the fifth over.
Despite being behind the 8th ball, Bethell went about his business, taking the attack to World No.1 bowler Varun Chakravarthy. The 21-year-old RCB sensation struck three consecutive sixes in the final over of the powerplay to set the ball rolling.
Bethell struck a 19-ball half-century, the fastest in T20 World Cup knockout matches alongside Finn Allen, who did so yesterday in the semi-final 1. He put in a 77-run partnership with Will Jacks, taking the game to the fag end.
He eventually reached his century in 45 balls, the second fastest in T20 World Cup history. Bethell was run out in the final over, ending his innings at 105 off just 48 balls. The left-hander struck eight fours and 7 sixes, in a show of brute hitting.
