There came a time in the second semi-final of T20 World Cup 2026 when everyone was wondering who will bowl the 20th over. England had to score 30 runs in the 20th over to win. India had used four of its bowlers and only Akshar Patel’s last over was left. However, captain Suryakumar Yadav took an important decision and handed the ball to Shivam Dubey and Dubey did not disappoint. Team India won by seven runs and the team reached the final. After the match, Akshar has now revealed that he was ready to bowl the last over and was confident that he would not hit five sixes.
England needed 30 runs in the 20th over.
Actually, England had scored 185 runs after losing five wickets in 15 overs. They had to score 69 runs in the last five overs to win. Then for India, Bumrah had two overs left, while Hardik, Arshdeep and Akshar had one over each. India bowled with only five bowlers. Jacob Bethal and Sam Curran were present at the crease. Bumrah gave eight runs in the 16th over. Then Arshdeep spent 16 runs in the 17th over. Bumrah again came to bowl in the 18th over and gave six runs. Hardik, who came to bowl in the 19th over, gave away nine runs. Thus, 30 runs were required in the 20th over. In such a situation, the captain had only one option – Akshar Patel. But Suryakumar took the risk and bowled to Dubey and Dubey gave 22 runs in the most important over of his life. Also, Bethal was run out in this over.
What did Akshar Patel say about the 20th over?
Talking to Star Sports after the match, Akshar said that he had started practicing bowling. “I was ready,” he said laughing. I was standing at long off and ready. I was also practicing bowling. 30 runs is a lot, I knew that I would not hit five sixes. Akshar bowled three overs and gave 35 runs. He also clean bowled Tom Banton who was looking dangerous. Not only this, Akshar took two catches and also assisted in one catch.
watch the match
If we look at the match, India, after losing the toss and batting first, scored 253 runs losing seven wickets with the help of Sanju Samson’s 89 runs on 42 balls. Despite Jacob Bethel’s memorable inning of 105 runs in 48 balls with the help of seven sixes and eight fours, England could only score 246 runs for seven wickets and lost the match by seven runs. After the match, Suryakumar also called fielding important. He said that we have to give credit to fielding coach Dilip. The boys are working hard in fielding. Suryakumar said, ‘There will be pressure while going for the title, but everyone is also excited.’ India will now face New Zealand in the title match. This match will be played on March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
