In a night of breathtaking records at the Wankhede Stadium, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell etched his name into cricket history with a sensational 45-ball century, though his heroics were not quite enough to prevent England from a narrow seven-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
Chasing a mountainous target of 254, Bethell produced a fearless display of hitting, smashing eight fours and seven sixes, in a knockout of 105.
By reaching his hundred in just 45 deliveries, he secured the fastest T20 World Cup century by an Englishman and became the youngest player from England to score hundreds in all three international formats.
The performance felt like a full-circle moment for the young star. Following the match, a video went viral showing a teenage Bethell watching England’s 2022 semi-final win over India.
Reflecting on his journey from fan to protagonist, Bethell described the experience as “surreal” later adding that while the milestone was special, the result was “a tough pill to swallow.”
Captain Harry Brook praised his teammate’s composure in the cauldron of Mumbai, stating, “He was in his own bubble and it’s an amazing feeling, you feel like you could hit nearly every ball for six.”
Brook predicted the youngster is destined for “a hell of a career with England.” Despite Bethell’s efforts, a run-out in the final over ended England’s hopes, leaving India to face New Zealand in the final.
