Jofra Archer signs two-year contract extension with Sussex

A stunning counter-attacking century from Bethell went in vain as Team India beat a valiant England by seven runs in a nail-biting semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, booking India's spot in the title clash against New Zealand at Ahmedabad, scheduled for Sunday.

India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson opened up about his on-field battle with England pacer Jofra Archer during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup semi-final, saying he had specifically prepared to face the fast bowler after past encounters where Archer had troubled him.

Bethell, who slammed his maiden international century against South Africa in an ODI back in September last year, has now joined Jos Buttler, Dawid Malan and Harry Brook as England's fourth all-format centurion in international men's cricket.

Put to bat first, a fiery knock from Sanju Samson (89* in 42 balls, with eight fours and seven sixes) and cameos from Shivam Dube (43 in 25 balls, with a four and four sixes), Ishan Kishan (39 in 18 balls, with four boundaries), Hardik Pandya (27 in 12 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Tilak Varma (21 in seven balls, with three sixes) took India to 253/7 in 20 overs. Despite having England down at 95/4, India could not dominate them as Jacob Bethell (105 in 48 balls, with eight fours and seven sixes) and Will Jacks (35 in 20 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) put a counter-attacking 77-run stand for the fifth wicket. Bethell continued to march on even after Jacks' dismissal and a fiery four-ball cameo of 19 from Jofra Archer took England really close, but not to the finishing line, ending at 246/7.

Rising 21-year-old cricketing talent from Jharkhand, Kumar Kushagra, opened up on what it was like for him when he was secured for Rs 7.20 crore by Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League 2024 season auction--his first IPL contract, calling it a "very special moment."