Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: Celebrations broke out across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack as defending champion India booked a sensational berth in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after outplaying England in a nail-biting second semi-final at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.The victory set up a blockbuster title clash for Team India with New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad on March 8. Youngsters glued to their mobile screens throughout the innings erupted in cheers as streets, cafés and housing societies echoed with chants of “India! India!”.Fan clubs that installed giant LED screens in residential complexes turned the evening into a festive gathering, complete with fireworks and impromptu dance. “It was an overall team performance. The batting was good, as was India’s bowling today. It was a brilliant match, with both sides playing well,” said Akash Jena, an ardent cricket fan.Restaurants and cafés in major hotspots like Patia, Jaydev Vihar, Saheed Nagar and CDA Cuttack reported near-full houses, with early reservations turning into lively gatherings as the match progressed. Several eateries extended their operating hours to accommodate jubilant fans.Residents said it felt like an extended Holi celebration. “The energy tonight was unreal. We knew England would be tough, but India showed grit and true champion spirit. We were a tad anxious when India lost the toss, but the team performed exceptionally well,” said Manoj Behera, a student watching the match in Saheed Nagar.With the team now just one step away from defending the title, fan excitement soared, and many in the twin cities have chalked gatherings for the Sunday final. Ticket and travel searches for Ahmedabad also spiked immediately after the win, according to reports from travel operators.India’s clinical performance — after being put in to bat first — lifted the nation’s mood, and the twin cities are now gearing up for a grand finale weekend. “It was a solid match and Sanju shone again. He is really gem of a cricketer India ever discovered. England played equally well, especially Bethell,” said Priya Mohapatra, a resident of Nayapalli.
