England’s Jos Buttler (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison has questioned whether Jos Buttler still has the motivation to continue in international cricket after a disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.England’s run in the tournament came to an end on Thursday when the England cricket team lost a tense semi-final to the India national cricket team by seven runs at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Led by Harry Brook, England fought hard in the chase but ultimately fell short.

Buttler endured a particularly difficult tournament. Across eight matches, the right-handed opener managed just 87 runs and struggled to find rhythm at the crease. In the semi-final, he attempted to attack his way out of the slump but was eventually dismissed by Varun Chakaravarthy. The England star finished the competition without a single half-century and failed to provide strong starts at the top of the order.Following England’s elimination, Harmison said Buttler now needs to reflect on his future with the national side.“He needs to look at himself in the mirror and say, ‘Do I really want to carry on playing international cricket? If he says, ‘I do’, then he keeps on playing for me. It’s just whether the ups and downs have taken that effect. I think Jos deserves the right to think, ‘Have I got one more cycle in me to get through to another tournament?,” Harmison said on TalkSport.“Only Jos can answer that, and he should be allowed to do that. But I just look at Jos, and I’m not sure he’s enjoying playing cricket for England at the moment,” he added.Harmison also suggested that if the passion for the game is fading, Buttler may need to consider stepping aside and allowing the next generation to take over.“If the candle is just flickering, and it’s not quite there, which doesn’t seem to have been an enjoyment factor for the last year or so, then maybe it is time for Jos to say, ‘I’ve given my time, given everything for England, I’ve been England’s best white-ball player, and it’s now time for someone else to take over,” said Harmison.Despite the recent struggles, Buttler remains one of England’s most decorated white-ball players. He played a crucial role in England’s triumphs at the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.The wicketkeeper-batter is also England’s most capped player across formats with 411 international appearances and is the nation’s highest run-scorer in T20 internationals with 4,037 runs. It remains to be seen whether he chooses to continue his career with an eye on the 2027 Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein took to social media to express frustration over the team’s delayed return from India after their exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup, even jokingly asking football star Cristiano Ronaldo to “rescue” him. International travel has been disrupted since tensions escalated following the conflict involving the USA, Israel and Iran, leading to flight cancellations and heightened alerts at several airports in West Asia.After their T20 World Cup campaign ended in the subcontinent, the West Indies players and support staff have faced difficulties travelling back home because of cancelled flights linked to the situation in West Asia. The development came despite Cricket West Indies (CWI) stating on Thursday that it was working to arrange a charter flight for the squad that could take them home within 24 hours.“At this point, I’m better off asking Cristiano Ronaldo to send the jet and come rescue me, yes?” Hosein said on X.

The Caribbean side has been in Kolkata since their tournament ended with a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens last Sunday. Earlier on Thursday, West Indies head coach Darren Sammy also sought clarity from the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the team’s travel plans.Soon after, CWI issued a statement confirming that efforts were underway to arrange the team’s return.“During a high-level call earlier today involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management, and a representative of the players, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours,” the CWI said in a statement. The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals. The team remains safe and well as arrangements continue to be finalized,” the governing body added.“CWI has remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) since their last match against India. While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean,” said CWI.There is also a possibility that several players may not travel back immediately and could stay in India to join their respective franchises for the upcoming Indian Premier League.

Rohit Sharma and Brendon McCullum (Screengrab)

Former India captain Rohit Sharma grabbed plenty of attention at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday night as India national cricket team defeated England cricket team to secure a place in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.Rohit, who captained India to the T20 World Cup title in the USA and West Indies two years ago, was present at the venue as a special guest. Before the semi-final began, he was involved in the pre-match ceremony, presenting the silverware and handing over the match ball. However, it was his lively interactions with players and staff from both camps that became a talking point even before the contest got underway.The former skipper first spent time with members of the Indian side, catching up with Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Mohammed Siraj and India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel. After that, he walked across to the England dugout, where he met former captain Eoin Morgan and head coach Brendon McCullum.

Morgan and McCullum were both stunned by Rohit’s noticeable physical transformation. The former India captain has reportedly shed close to 10 kilograms as part of his fitness drive, and the change was clearly visible during his appearance at the ground.“In the shape of your life. What’s going on?” Morgan asked Rohit.“Just chilling,” Rohit replied.McCullum, meanwhile, had a humorous reaction when he saw the former opener. “Where’s the rest of you?” he remarked. Rohit responded with a smile, saying, “It’s all gone”.Rohit also shared a brief exchange with Suryakumar Yadav that seemed to lift the batter’s confidence ahead of the high-pressure clash. When Surya asked, “Do you think we’ll be able to pull it off?”, Rohit responded positively: “Yeah, obviously! We played so well in the last match too.” During another conversation, Rohit reassured bowling coach Morne Morkel about the conditions, telling him not to worry as the wind would stay consistent throughout the game.The semi-final marked the third consecutive T20 World Cup knockout meeting between India and England. England had dominated the 2022 clash with a 10-wicket victory before India returned the favour two years later.Thursday’s contest once again produced tense moments, especially when Jacob Bethell threatened to take the game away from India with a powerful innings. However, the match ultimately turned in India’s favour thanks to a superb finish from Jasprit Bumrah, whose final two overs conceded just 14’Where’s the Rest of You?’: Brendon McCullum runs.

Abhishek Sharma bats during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Semi-Final match between India and England at Wankhede Stadium on March 05, 2026 in Mumbai, India. (Photo/Getty Images)

As India get ready for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, a debate has started over the team’s opening combination. Questions are being raised about whether the side should continue with Abhishek Sharma despite his run of low scores or bring in Rinku Singh for the title clash.With the trophy at stake, the discussion has spread among fans and experts.Abhishek’s numbers in the tournament have drawn attention. In seven matches, the left-hander has scored 0, 0, 0, 15, 55, 10 and 9, making a total of 89 runs at an average of 12.71.Except for a half-century against Zimbabwe, he has not managed to score consistently, leading to questions over whether India should persist with him in the final.The debate has gained momentum on social media, especially on X, where fans have expressed different views on the issue.“You can’t take risks with a person who is consistently flopping. This is the final and we must go with full strength, without any weak link,” wrote one fan, as cited by news agency IANS.Another supporter said rival teams have already worked out how to dismiss him. “Abhishek has become so predictable. New Zealand will make sure he doesn’t score either. Rinku should come in.”There are also voices supporting the youngster. “Abhishek can be our X factor in the final. There is a big inning due from him. He might deliver big in the finale,” another fan commented, as cited by IANS.For the team management, the situation presents a choice: continue backing a player through a difficult phase or make a change before the final.Attention is now on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav. They will decide whether to stick with the combination that took India to the final or bring in Rinku Singh for the match.At present, a change appears unlikely, but the decision will show whether India opts for continuity or makes a late adjustment ahead of the final.India vs New Zealand finalDate & Time: India will face New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, March 8. The match will begin at 7:00 PM (IST).Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, AhmedabadLive Telecast: Star Sports NetworkLive Streaming: JioHotstar app.

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the run out of Jacob Bethell of England. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis heaped glowing praise on India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah after the fast bowler’s decisive spell helped India edge past England by seven runs in the semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Calling Bumrah a match-winner across formats, du Plessis said having him in the team was “like having a genie”.India had earlier piled up a massive 253/7 riding on a stunning 42-ball 89 from Sanju Samson. But England threatened to chase it down thanks to a sensational hundred from Jacob Bethell.

With England needing 45 runs from the last three overs and momentum on their side, the match swung dramatically when captain Suryakumar Yadav handed the ball to Bumrah for the crucial 18th over.In a game where bowlers had been hammered all around the park, Bumrah conceded just six runs, effectively turning the tide. England eventually finished at 246/7, falling agonisingly short despite Bethell’s 105.Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, du Plessis said India might not fully realise how fortunate they are to have a bowler like Bumrah.

“Team India don’t understand how lucky they are to have him in their ranks,” du Plessis said. “It is just proven time and time and time again, regardless of the format — you just give him the ball and he wins you games.”“It’s a superpower that any captain will dream of. It’s like having a genie — you just rub the lamp and out comes Bumrah,” he added.Du Plessis highlighted how even Bumrah’s occasional errors become difficult for batters to capitalise on because of his unique action and late release.“They know it’s going to be full — yorker or slower ball. He bowled two low full tosses in that over and both times Sam Curran was late on the ball. Any other bowler missing length like that goes for six,” he explained.“He’s got such a unique action that it’s hard to pick how quickly the ball comes out of his wrist. That mystery makes it very hard to line him up.”Bumrah finished with figures of 1/33 from four overs in a match that produced a staggering 499 runs. As India prepare for the final against New Zealand, the hopes of a billion fans will once again rest on their “genie with the ball.”

Sanju Samson plays a shot during the semi-final vs England at Wankhede stadium. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Sanju Samson believes one more good innings could complete a remarkable personal turnaround after his explosive knock powered India into the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a thrilling victory over England in Mumbai.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson smashed a breathtaking 89 off 42 balls, studded with eight fours and seven sixes, guiding India to a massive 253/7 at the Wankhede Stadium. England fought hard through Jacob Bethell’s stunning 105 off 48 balls, but fell seven runs short, sending India into their second consecutive T20 World Cup final.

For Samson, the innings was another step in a redemption arc that has defined India’s campaign in the knockout stage. The Kerala batter had earlier hammered an unbeaten 97 against West Indies in Kolkata, and his back-to-back match-winning knocks have come after a long phase of uncertainty in his career.Speaking after the semifinal, Samson admitted the journey had been emotionally demanding.“It feels really great, really relieving. I have been trying for a few years to do something like this for my country,” he said. “There was a lot of patience, a lot of inner work, training and practice. But we still have one more step to go.”

That final step, Samson hinted, could finally lift a huge weight off his shoulders.“One more innings should be really good… one more match, then I will feel very light,” he added.Samson admitted he had tried too hard during the difficult stretch of New Zealand series at home.“In this format, even the best players struggle sometimes. I had to respect the game and go back to my basics,” he explained.READ ALSO: I made a big mistake dropping Sanju Samson, says Harry BrookTo regain focus, he even chose to step away from social media.“I closed all my windows, shut down my phone and stayed away from social media. Less noise helped me focus in the right direction,” Samson said.The 31-year-old also emphasised the aggressive philosophy of India’s top order in the tournament.“In the powerplay itself matches can be made or spoiled. As soon as you get a few balls, you try to attack. If it is your day, you bat long. If not, you support the others.”Now, with India set to face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Samson knows the job is not finished yet.

Sanju Samson (Pic credit: BCCI)

MUMBAI: Harry Brook tried to laugh it off as he stood with his hands on his knees. Jofra Archer turned back dejected as he walked towards his mark and Sanju Samson heaved a sigh of relief as he marked his guard.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!It was a pivotal moment of the match in the third over, the second bowled by Archer, when the right-arm pacer got Samson to mistime a drive straight to Brook at mid-on. The England captain, though, ended up spilling a dolly. Samson, who was 15 off seven balls at that point, went on to add another 74 off 35 after that in a breathtaking assault on the England bowlers.

England had an opportunity to reduce India to 24/2 and tighten their grip on the match. Instead, they were left ruing things as the Kerala cricketer went on a rampage, scoring an entertaining 42-ball 89 that was built on the back of eight fours and seven sixes, to help India post 253/7. Samson’s knock was the joint-third highest score in a T20 World Cup match, alongside Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 89 against West Indies in the 2016 edition at the same venue.ALSO READ: I made a big mistake dropping Sanju Samson, says Harry BrookWith every Samson boundary, Brook got more and more worried. As Samson cut, pulled, and drove everything that was bowled at him, Brook would have felt like Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Steve Waugh during the 1999 World Cup.Everyone was looking forward to the Archer vs Samson matchup, especially with the Englishman dominating the Indian opener during the T20I series at the start of last year. Samson struggled against Archer’s pace and short-pitched stuff, scored only 25 runs off the 23 balls he faced, and was dismissed three times.

To add to his woes, an Archer rocket fractured Samson’s right index finger in the last T20I of that series at this very venue, which sidelined him for a month.On Thursday, Samson took guard against Archer, but unlike the 2025 T20I series, where his confidence plummeted with every low-scoring outing, he entered the semifinal on the back of a matchwinning 97 against West Indies. He hoicked Archer’s third for a boundary over mid-on and then deposited a misdirected short ball over deep fine leg for a six.In the third over, the 31-year-old’s heart would have been in his mouth as he watched his drive sailing straight to Brook but once he saw it spooned, he quickly regathered his thoughts and, two balls later, pulled his nemesis for six over cow corner.Archer returned in the 13th over but Samson deposited two of the three balls he faced over the boundary. In total, Samson faced 14 balls from Archer and took 38 runs off him.

Hardik Pandya interacts with Dhoni and his son Agastya. (Video grabs)

NEW DELHI: India’s thrilling win over England in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the iconic Wankhede Stadium produced many memorable moments on the field, but it was an emotional off-field interaction involving Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni and Pandya’s son Agastya that has taken social media by storm.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Pandya played a crucial all-round role in India’s dramatic seven-run victory. The flamboyant all-rounder smashed 27 off just 12 balls to give India a late push with the bat and then returned to pick up two key wickets during England’s chase. He also produced a decisive moment in the field by running out England’s centurion Jacob Bethell, whose brilliant 105 had nearly taken the game away from India.

But the internet was equally captivated by a heartwarming moment after the match.A viral video shows Pandya looking up towards the stands to greet Dhoni, who was watching from the gallery as fans erupted in cheers. During the interaction, Pandya’s girlfriend Mahieka Sharma brought his son Agastya next to Dhoni, creating a wholesome scene that quickly spread across social media.Dhoni was then seen helping the youngster locate his father, pointing down towards the players’ tunnel that leads to the dressing room. The touching moment between the legendary former captain and the young fan — Pandya’s son — melted hearts online.An Instagram user who shared the clip summed it up perfectly: “Moments like these are pure gold.”WATCH: Earlier in the match, India had produced a batting masterclass after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson led the charge with a blazing 89 off 42 balls, his second successive half-century of the tournament. He stitched vital partnerships with Ishan Kishan (39 off 18) and Shivam Dube (43 off 25) as India piled up a massive 253/7 in 20 overs.England fought back bravely thanks to Bethell’s sensational century, but India’s bowlers held their nerve at the death. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a brilliant 18th over, conceding just six runs, before Pandya’s tight penultimate over swung the match decisively.England eventually finished on 246/7, falling seven runs short despite a valiant effort.India will now face New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, aiming to become the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.

England captain Harry Brook speaks with Sam Curran and Jos Buttler. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: England captain Harry Brook admitted that costly fielding lapses — including a dropped catch of Sanju Samson — played a decisive role in his side’s defeat to India in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking during the post-match presentation, Brook conceded that England misread the conditions and failed to execute their plans, particularly in the field, allowing India to post a daunting total.

“We thought there might have been hold, spin in the first innings, slid onto the bat nicely, and India batted well. I’ll hold my hands up and admit I made a big mistake dropping Samson. We weren’t good enough in the field. We misexecuted, and can’t afford to do that against India,” Brook said.The turning point came when Brook dropped Samson while the Indian batter was on just 15. The chance, off the bowling of Jofra Archer, proved extremely costly as Samson went on to anchor India’s innings with a commanding knock.Samson’s blistering 89 off 42 balls powered India to a formidable 253/7, a total that eventually proved just out of England’s reach.

“Yeah, catches win matches, don’t they? Unfortunately, it didn’t stay in my hands and yeah, it’s just one of those things. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch it and he played a very, very good innings as well and arguably won them the game,” Brook said.The England skipper admitted that the missed opportunity stayed on his mind throughout the chase.“Obviously, it’s in the back of your mind as the game goes on. I kept on looking at the scoreboard and he was piling the runs on. I was like, ‘I’m going to have to get an 80 or 90 tonight.’ Not ideal, but it’s happened now,” he added.Despite the defeat, Brook found positives in England’s spirited chase, particularly praising young batter Jacob Bethell for his fearless century.Bethell smashed 105 off just 48 balls, while Will Jacks contributed 35 during a counter-attacking partnership that briefly revived England’s hopes.“Bethell was absolutely unbelievable, he’ll earn some serious money. To see him taking it from ball one showed the world what he can do,” Brook said.England eventually finished on 246/7, falling agonisingly short despite Bethell’s heroics and a late blitz from Archer. Brook, however, insisted his side could still take pride in their campaign.“We had a good tournament; we should be extremely proud of how we played. We stuck to it the whole game; unfortunately, we were on the wrong side,” he said.