Jacob Bethell Slams Historic T20 World Cup Hundred Vs India; Becomes First English Batter To...

Bethell creates historic record vs India [Source: AFP]

England needed a near-impossible target of 254 runs to beat India and reach the T20 World Cup finals, and none of the English top order performed as England lost a flurry of wickets inside the first 10 overs. When all hopes look lost, Jacob Bethell, the star boy, stepped up and delivered with a historic century in a knockout game.

Bethell came in at number 4 and instantly took on the Indian attack as he single-handedly kept his nation in the contest, smashing a record-breaking 45 balls century against a quality Indian bowling lineup. This was an innings of the highest-class as Bethell became the first player from England to smack a hundred in a T20 World Cup knockout match.

England needed someone to stay at the crease and go berserk at the same time, and with wickets tumbling at the other end, Bethell did the job to perfection.

Interestingly, this was also the second-fastest hundred in the T20 World Cups in terms of balls faced. Finn Allen, the Kiwi opener, smacked a 33-ball century against South Africa on Wednesday.

Fastest 100s in T20 World Cups (By Balls):

• 33 – Finn Allen (New Zealand) vs South Africa, Kolkata, 2026
• 45 – Jacob Bethell (England) vs India, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026, Tonight*
• 47 – Chris Gayle (West Indies) vs England, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2016
• 50 – Chris Gayle (West Indies) vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2007
• 50 – Harry Brook (England) vs Pakistan, Pallekele, 2026

Allen attained the feat in the semifinal 1 of the T20 World Cup 2026, when he tore apart the South African attack in one of the most destructive onslaughts ever witnessed. Bethell, the English batter, now occupies the second spot with a lone warrior's knock against India.

Chris Gayle comes on the list twice, and Bethell's teammate, Harry Brook also makes the cut at number five.

Fastest 100s for England in T20Is (By Balls):

• 39 – Phil Salt vs South Africa, Manchester, 2025
• 42 – Liam Livingstone vs Pakistan, Nottingham, 2021
• 45 – Jacob Bethell vs India, Mumbai (Wankhede), 2026, Tonight*
• 48 – Dawid Malan vs New Zealand, Napier, 2019
• 48 – Phil Salt vs West Indies, Tarouba, 2023

This was also the third fastest T20I hundred by an English batter. Phil Salt, the opener holds the record with a 39-ball hundred vs South Africa, followed by Liam Livingstone, who hammered Pakistan in 2021.

Bethell sits at third place but his efforts went in vain as India narrowly clinched a record-breaking game.

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Bethell's efforts go in vain as England suffers heartbreak

In reply to India’s mammoth score, England lost both Phil Salt and Harry Brook early as the team came under pressure. This is when Bethell showed his class as the youngster kept his team in the contest with boundaries and sixes at regular intervals.

He got an able partner in Will Jacks as the duo added 77 runs for the 5th wicket. However, Axar Patel’s catch to dismiss Jacks changed the complexion of the match as Bethell was left alone. The southpaw hammered some lusty blows, completed his century, but the batter couldn’t steer England past the winning line.

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