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Cricket News Updated Mar 5, 2026

Anil Kapoor Cheers Sanju Samson's 89 in T20 WC Semi-Final; Bollywood Stars Attend

India set a formidable total of 253/7 against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final, powered by Sanju Samson's blistering 89-run knock. Actor Anil Kapoor was captured on camera enthusiastically applauding Samson's shots, a moment that went viral on social media. The match was a star-studded affair with former captain MS Dhoni, current skipper Rohit Sharma, and numerous Bollywood celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in attendance. The winner will advance to face New Zealand in the final.

T20 WC Semi-final: Anil Kapoor applauds Sanju Samson as India faces England; Varun Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni also spotted
T20 WC Semi-final: Anil Kapoor applauds Sanju Samson as India faces England; Varun Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni also spotted

T20 WC Semi-final: Anil Kapoor applauds Sanju Samson as India faces England; Varun Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni also spotted

Mumbai, March 5

As India faces England in the high-octane semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai has not only turned into a battleground for high drama on the field but also a star-studded spectacle off it.

Actor Anil Kapoor, who was spotted in the stands, was seen standing and applauding as Sanju Samson unleashed a series of powerful shots. Samson delivered a memorable performance on the big stage, smashing a breathtaking 89 off just 42 balls. His knock, which included eight fours and seven sixes, powered India to a flying start against England. Samson's explosive innings finally came to an end when he was dismissed by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

Kapoor's reaction to Samson's shots was widely praised by netizens. One user wrote on X, "Anil Kapoor be like 'Sanju jhakas'", while another added, "Pure class by Samson had Anil Kapoor in awe."

Former India captain MS Dhoni was also present at the stadium. He watched the match from the VVIP box alongside his wife, Sakshi. Rohit Sharma was joined by his wife, Ritika Sajdeh.

Several Bollywood stars were spotted in the stands as well. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt attended the match with their daughter, Raha. Varun Dhawan, Tripti Dimri, and Ahaan Shetty were also present. KL Rahul was seen sitting next to his brother-in-law, Ahaan Shetty. Mumbai Indians owner Nita Ambani was also there, passionately cheering for Team India.

On the field, India posted a mammoth total of 253/7 in 20 overs. Alongside Samson's heroics, valuable contributions came from Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma.

The team that emerges victorious today will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday for yet another blockbuster showdown.

— ANI

Reader Comments

Sarah B

The atmosphere must have been electric! So many stars in one place. Good to see MS Dhoni back at the stadium. His presence itself is a morale booster for the team.

Rohit P

253 is a huge total, but our bowling needs to be tight. England's batting is dangerous. Bumrah and Arshdeep, do your magic! Let's bring the cup home this time. 💪

Priya S

While the star sightings are fun, I hope the focus remains on the cricket. The players are giving their all on the field. That's the real spectacle. Samson was brilliant.

Aman W

Respectfully, the article spends a lot on who was in the stands. The real story is the team's performance. Samson, Kishan, Dube - they were phenomenal. That partnership was fire! 🔥

Nisha Z

So happy for Sanju! He waited for his chance and grabbed it with both hands. From Kerala to Wankhede, making us all proud. Now, bowlers, please defend this! #INDvENG

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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