Watch: Axar Patel Runs Backwards, Pulls Off Stunning Catch To Dismiss Harry Brook !
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Axar Patel stunned fans with a brilliant running catch to dismiss Harry Brook during the India vs England T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
India delivered a dominant performance in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, posting a massive 253/7 in 20 overs against England at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. The high-scoring contest featured explosive batting and sharp fielding, with one of the standout moments coming when Axar Patel produced a spectacular catch to dismiss England captain Harry Brook.
The stunning effort not only removed one of England’s key batters but also shifted momentum firmly in India’s favour during the chase.
Axar Patel’s Stunning Catch Lights Up Wankhede
The highlight moment unfolded on the first ball of the fifth over of England’s innings. Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah delivered a clever slower ball that deceived Brook.
Attempting to attack the delivery, Brook struck the ball firmly towards the cover region, hoping to find the boundary. However, Axar Patel reacted quickly, sprinting backwards while keeping his eyes fixed on the ball.
In a remarkable display of athleticism and balance, Axar completed a brilliant forward dive to secure the catch. The stunning fielding effort immediately sent the crowd at Wankhede Stadium into loud celebrations.
Brook’s dismissal proved to be a crucial breakthrough for India, as the England skipper had been one of the standout performers of the tournament with several impactful innings.
Harry Brook’s Short Stay At The Crease
Despite entering the semifinal in strong form, Harry Brook could not make a significant impact on the big stage. The England captain managed just seven runs before falling to Bumrah’s smart bowling and Axar’s exceptional catch.
Brook’s early dismissal added pressure on England during what was already a challenging chase of 254 runs.
The wicket also highlighted India’s sharp fielding performance, which complemented their strong batting display earlier in the match.
England Begin Chase Aggressively
England’s chase started with intent as openers Phil Salt and Jos Buttler attacked the Indian bowlers from the outset.
Both batters found boundaries early and tried to build momentum in pursuit of the daunting total. However, India’s bowlers soon regained control by striking at regular intervals.
At the halfway stage of the innings, England had reached 119/4 after 10 overs, still requiring a massive effort to chase down India’s formidable total.
Sanju Samson Leads India’s Batting Charge
Earlier in the match, India’s innings was powered by a sensational knock from Sanju Samson, who once again delivered with the bat in the knockout stage.
After India lost Abhishek Sharma early for 9 runs, Samson took control of the innings and launched an aggressive counterattack.
The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 89 runs off just 42 balls, hammering seven sixes and eight fours in a breathtaking display of power hitting. His innings laid the foundation for India’s massive total.
Samson’s innings followed his earlier heroics in the tournament, further cementing his reputation as one of India’s most impactful batters in the competition.
Strong Support From Middle Order
Samson received valuable support from several Indian batters who contributed quick runs to keep the scoreboard moving.
Shivam Dube played an aggressive knock of 43 runs, while Ishan Kishan added 39 with a series of powerful shots.
Late cameos from Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) further boosted India’s total.
Their combined effort helped India cross the 250-run mark, setting one of the highest totals ever in a T20 World Cup knockout match.
England Bowlers Struggle For Control
England’s bowling attack struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting lineup throughout the innings.
Among the bowlers, Will Jacks and Adil Rashid were the only ones to make a noticeable impact, picking up two wickets each.
However, the rest of the attack found it difficult to restrict the flow of runs on what appeared to be a batting-friendly surface.
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Ishan Kishan Reflects On Key Partnership
Speaking during the innings break, Ishan Kishan emphasised the importance of building partnerships and maintaining momentum after the early wicket.
He said that once Samson began finding boundaries, the pitch appeared favourable for batting. Kishan noted that his focus was to support Samson and continue playing simple cricketing shots while keeping the scoreboard ticking.
The wicketkeeper-batter also pointed out that the third-wicket partnership played a crucial role in putting pressure on England and setting a competitive total.
High-Intensity Semi-Final Contest
With explosive batting, sharp fielding and key wickets at crucial moments, the semifinal between India and England turned into a thrilling contest.
Axar Patel’s spectacular catch to dismiss Harry Brook emerged as one of the defining moments of the match, underlining India’s all-round dominance in the game.
As the chase continued, fans at Wankhede Stadium witnessed a high-intensity battle between two of the strongest teams in world cricket.
