Bethell’s Record Century Overshadowed By England’s Semi-final Exit In T20 World Cup

England’s young batter Jacob Bethell admitted he was disheartened after his outstanding century could not prevent England from losing to India in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The 22-year-old acknowledged that the defeat was difficult to accept, noting that cricket can sometimes deliver harsh outcomes even when a player performs exceptionally well.

Although England ended up on the losing side, Bethell achieved a remarkable milestone during the match.

The left-hander registered the second-fastest century in the history of the T20 World Cup, bringing up his hundred in only 45 deliveries.

This innings also helped him join a select group of players who have scored centuries for England across all three international formats.

Earlier this year, Bethell had also scored a Test hundred against Australia during the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. However, that innings too ended in defeat for England, making both achievements somewhat bittersweet.

Reflecting on the two centuries, Bethell remarked, “Yeah, I think they’re not comparable, really. The skills and the kind of mentality and thinking are different between the two of them. Both feelings are pretty good. But both of them have come in losing causes, which is a weird feeling. You know, cricket’s a cruel game. Personal performances don’t always solidify into team performances. So both of those are tough pills to swallow.”

Axar Patel’s Crucial Fielding Moment

Bethell also highlighted a decisive moment in the match involving India’s all-rounder Axar Patel.

He stated, “I think that Brookie catch, it was a good catch. But the game was far more, far apart at that point. But to do it under the pressure when me and Jacksy had that partnership going, really, was a dagger to us.”

Bethell explained that if Jacks had remained at the crease, England could have placed greater pressure on India’s bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah.

He added, “I think you look at it in a broader expanse of the game. If Jacky’s was there in the next over when Bumrah was bowling, we must have put more pressure on him and then we don’t have to get 30 off the last. I think that definitely changed the complexion of the game and fair play to him. They were two hell of a catch.”

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