Sanju Samson celebrates unbeaten 97 in India vs West Indies T20 World Cup as India seals semi-final berth in Kolkata.
India sealed a dramatic semi-final berth at the T20 World Cup after edging past West Indies by five wickets in a high-pressure Super 8 encounter at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a daunting 196, India found their hero in Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 97 guided the hosts into a blockbuster clash with England.
The victory confirmed India’s place as runners-up in Group 1, setting up a much-anticipated semi-final meeting with England in Mumbai. Yet the journey to that result was anything but straightforward, as momentum swung repeatedly in a contest that demanded both nerve and composure.
West Indies Post a Challenging Total
After being asked to bat first, the West Indies capitalised on India’s untidy fielding to post 195 for 4. Several dropped chances and a missed run-out opportunity allowed the Caribbean side to build partnerships that might otherwise have been cut short.
Promoted to open the innings, Roston Chase justified the move with a brisk 40 off 25 balls. His measured aggression laid the foundation for the West Indies to cross the 100 mark with only one wicket down. At that stage, India was searching for control, and it arrived through Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah shifted the tempo with a clever slower delivery that deceived Chase before removing Shimron Hetmyer, who had been among West Indies’ most consistent performers in the tournament. The twin strikes briefly stalled the innings, but Rovman Powell and Jason Holder restored momentum with unbeaten knocks of 34 and 37 respectively. Their late acceleration ensured West Indies finished strongly, leaving India with their highest-ever chase in a men’s T20 World Cup match.
Samson Anchors a Historic Chase
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If the target appeared intimidating, Samson’s approach never suggested panic. Walking in during a tense phase of the chase, he combined elegance with precision, finding boundaries without exposing himself to undue risk. His unbeaten 97 came off just 50 balls and featured 12 fours and four sixes, each stroke tightening India’s grip on the contest.
While wickets fell around him, Samson remained unflustered. Tilak Varma’s quick 27 off 15 balls provided valuable support, but no other batter crossed the 30-run mark. That imbalance only highlighted Samson’s responsibility as he steered the innings through fluctuating phases.
As the required rate climbed and dipped, Samson recalibrated calmly, choosing his moments to attack. With the equation narrowing to single digits, he fittingly finished the job himself. A towering six followed by a crisp boundary off Romario Shepherd sealed the win with four deliveries to spare, triggering celebrations across the packed Kolkata stands.
Semi-Final Spotlight Awaits
This India vs West Indies T20 World Cup contest will be remembered not just for its high scoreline, but for the maturity of Samson’s match-winning knock. India had never chased more than 173 in a men’s T20 World Cup fixture, making this pursuit a significant milestone.
The result now sets up a compelling semi-final against England, a contest that promises intensity and quality in equal measure. Having overcome lapses in the field and a challenging target, India will carry confidence into the knockout stage. Yet they will also recognise that sharper execution will be essential against an England side in formidable form.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Samson, whose composed brilliance ensured India’s T20 World Cup journey continues with renewed belief and momentum.
