New Delhi: England threatened to pull off the highest run chase in T20 World Cup knockouts but India’s record score of 253 for seven was just enough to put them in the final with a seven-run victory in Mumbai on Thursday.

Once Sanju Samson‘s 42-ball 89, with generous toppings from Shivam Dube (43), Ishan Kishan (39), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) vaulted India to the biggest total of knockout matches in tournament history, it seemed a win was the formality for the hosts.

But Jacob Bethell single handedly put all celebrations on hold with his 48-ball 105. Not until the the left hander was run out in the first ball of the last over, with England needing 30 to win, did India breathe easy.

Not many would have put their money on England to make a match out of it once they were reduced to 64 for three in 5.5 overs, with Phil Salt (5), Jos Buttler (25) and skipper harry Brook (7) back in the pavilion.

But Bethell clubbed eight boundaries and seven sixes at a strike rate of 218.75 to make India nervous and keep England in the hunt until they faltered in the last over.

India will defend their title against New Zealand on Sunday in Ahmedabad.