Kapil Dev Applauds Jasprit Bumrah and Sanju Samson Following India's Thrilling Semi-Final Victory Over England
In a high-stakes encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India triumphed over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, securing their place in the tournament final. The match, held on Thursday, saw India post a formidable total of 253 for 7 after being asked to bat first, with wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson leading the charge with a blistering 89 off 42 balls.
Kapil Dev's Praise for Bumrah's Masterclass Under Pressure
Former Indian captain Kapil Dev, in a post-match statement to reporters as cited by news agency ANI, singled out pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for exceptional praise. "It was a victory for the game of cricket. I think he (Jasprit Bumrah) is the number one bowler in the world. The way he performs under pressure, he deserves to get respect," Dev emphasized. Bumrah's spell of 1 for 33 in four overs proved crucial, particularly in the 18th over where he conceded only six runs, turning the tide as England needed 45 runs from the final three overs.
While other Indian bowlers faced aggressive batting from England, highlighted by Jacob Bethell's century that kept the chase alive, Bumrah maintained remarkable control. Kapil Dev also commended Sanju Samson for his consistent performance, noting, "Sanju Samson played wonderful cricket in the last two games." Samson's back-to-back fifties in the tournament have been instrumental in India's success.
Team Effort and Upcoming Final Against New Zealand
Reflecting on the semi-final, Kapil Dev expressed admiration for the Indian team's collective effort. "It felt very good. I didn't think the semifinal would be so difficult when teams recently have been scoring over 250, and after that, such excellent cricket was played. The Indian team won, and my congratulations to them. It was a lot of fun. And that fun didn't just come from the bowlers' side, but from the batsmen's side as well," he added.
With this victory, India now advances to the final against New Zealand, scheduled for Sunday in Ahmedabad. The team has the opportunity to achieve historic milestones:
- Become the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup.
- Defend their title, making them the first team to do so in T20 World Cup history.
- Secure a record third T20 World Cup championship.
As anticipation builds for the final clash, fans and analysts alike are keenly watching India's pursuit of these unprecedented achievements in cricket.
