Sanju Samson’s Heroic 97 Guides India to Record Chase and T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals

Kolkata, March 1, 2026

India reached the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in a high-stakes Super 8 match at Eden Gardens on Sunday. Chasing a challenging total of 196, India overhauled the target with four balls to spare in what became the highest successful T20I run chase at the historic venue.

West Indies, put into bat by India skipper Suryakumar Yadav, posted a strong 195 for 4 in their 20 overs after steady starts from their top order. Captain Shai Hope provided a solid platform with a well-constructed innings, while middle-order power hitters Jason Holder and Rovman Powell added crucial runs to take the total to a competitive score. Their partnership in the death overs ensured the West Indies remained threatening until the end.

India’s bowling effort saw key contributions from Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase to stem the flow early, while Hardik Pandya also struck, helping keep the Windies under check before the late surge. Despite some tight moments, India’s attack managed to restrict West Indies to under 200 on a good batting pitch.

In reply, India’s chase encountered early setbacks as they lost key batters, including Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, in quick succession. However, Sanju Samson anchored the innings with a remarkable unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, combining power and composure under pressure. Support came from handy cameos by Tilak Varma, who struck 27 off 15 deliveries, Suryakumar Yadav, who added 18 off 16 deliveries and useful contributions down the order, allowing India to stay on course. Samson’s knock was pivotal in keeping the scoreboard ticking and bringing India home in style.

With this win, India have confirmed their place in the semi-finals, where they will face England in Mumbai later this week. The thrilling victory also ended West Indies’s campaign in this edition of the World Cup. India’s performance on Sunday showcased resilience and depth in batting, with Samson’s innings widely praised as one of the tournament’s standout knocks.