New Delhi: Sanju Samson added his name to the select list of players to win the match single-handedly in a World Cup knockout. Samson erased decades of doubt over his ability and temperament with a well-crafted knock under pressure to take India to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the expense of the West Indies.
Samson’s unbeaten 97-run knock of 50 balls powered India to a five-wicket win in a must-win Super 8 clash over a strong West Indies side at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Samson produced a chasing masterclass, hitting 12 fours and four sixes and carried the bat to help as India overhauled a tricky target of 196 with four balls to spare.
Samson’s knock drew massive celebrations from the Kolkata crowd, which continued to cheer India’s semifinal hero long after he left with the team bus.
Fans flocked to the streets to hail the Kerala batter, who has been under scrutiny throughout his career.
Samson fever grips Kolkata
View this post on Instagram
Samson’s knock came under immense pressure. Chasing 196 is always tricky in a high-stakes knockout game, but Samson made it look easy.
He found able support in Tilak Varma (27), Suryakumar Yadav (18) and Hardik Pandya (17), who ensured all chipped in with important partnerships with the India opener.
For WI, Jason Holder (2/38) and Shamar Joseph (2/42) also claimed two scalps for the West Indies.
Invited to bat first, West Indies posted a competitive 195 for four, courtesy of crucial contributions from Roston Chase (40), Shai Hope (32), Jason Holder (37 not out) and Rovman Powell (34 not out).
Jasprit Bumrah (2/36) was the pick of the Indian bowlers with two scalps.
India now face England in a blockbuster semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, a day after New Zealand and South Africa meet in the first semifinal at the Eden Gardens.
Meanwhile, despite returning empty-handed, the West Indies would be proud of their performance and would look to build on it in the upcoming tournaments.