A great innings – Jacob Bethell reflects on his remarkable World Cup semi-final ton against India
As Starboy Jacob Bethell gears up for the latest iteration of the IPL, fans simply cannot wait to see him in action. In the previous season of the tournament, Bethell impressed in the handful of chances he got. He knitted together a half-century in the second game he played, showing the world what he was capable of.
Even in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, Bethell impressed heavily, smashing 697 runs at a strike rate of 149.89. His standout knock of 105 from just 48 balls against India in the World Cup semi-finals was a sheer ode to his growing prominence. Talking on the latest episode of RCB Bold Diaries, Bethell opened up on the iconic knock that he knitted together at Wankhede, leaving the Indian fans on their toes until the final over.
Highlighting the difference in his life after that masterful knock, Bethell said, “Um I wouldn't say my life changed. You know I I saw a few edits floating around and you know the fans over here have been been getting very creative with their digital work.”
Shedding light on the importance of the knock, Bethell added, “That innings was a great innings and I enjoyed every minute of it but you know it was still a bit bittersweet you know not getting over the line. I'm sure you guys were pretty happy that that I didn't manage to get it over the line.”
On the knock, his England teammate Phil Salt said, “He played really well. World Cup semi-final in Mumbai. It was a great occasion and although we came out on the wrong side of that I was really pleased for Beth the way that he carried himself and the way that he played. You guys call him star boy for a reason.”
Bethell’s 105 propelled England to 246 in response to India’s 253 in a high-octane run-chase in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final. It was an excellent effort from Hardik Pandya in the deep that found Bethell short of the crease when he was trying desperately to get back on strike in the final over.
