Sanju Samson struck an unbeaten 97 as India thrashed West Indies by five wickets to storm into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Chasing a massive 196-run target in a high pressure must-win contest, Samson rose to the occasion and anchored India’s dash to the finish line with four balls to spare, setting up a semifinal clash against England in Mumbai on Thursday. Moreover, this was India’s highest run-chase in the T20 World Cup.
India lost two early wickets in the form of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan as the duo failed to an identical score of 10 runs each. India were reduced to 53 for 2 inside the powerplay overs. Samson then took charge and consolidated the innings and shifted gears in the able company of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
The wicketkeeper-batter brought up his fifty off 27 balls which was punctuated with controlled aggression. Suryakumar fell soon at 18 to Shamar Joseph but Tilak Varma scored a fluent 27 off 15 balls to keep India’s chase on track. Samson and Tilak counter-attacked the West Indies’ spinners by taking advantage of the dew. However, the Windies struck with the wickets of Tilak and Hardik Pandya to take the match deep into the death overs.
The equation came down to 17 runs needed off the last two overs. Samson remained unfazed as the in-form Shivam Dube got crucial boundaries to make it seven required off the final over. Romario Shepherd bowling the final over, Samson on strike dispatched the first ball for a six to level the score and the next ball he chipped it over mid-on for a four to clinch the win.
Samson’s unbeaten 97 off 50 balls was the highest individual score by an Indian batter in a successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing the previous record set by Virat Kohli.
Earlier, after put in to bat, West Indies got off to a solid start with their opener putting up a 68-run partnership before Varun Chakaravarthy removed Shai Hope for 32. Jaspit Bumrah then came in to remove the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer (27) and Roston Chase (40) in one over. Bumrah’s strikes reduced 103 for 3 in 11.5 overs before Rovman Powell and Jason Holder lifted the tempo with effective cameos.
Powell scored 34 ball not out off 19 balls and Holder remained unbeaten on 37 off 22 balls to power West Indies to a commanding total of 195 for 4 in 20 overs.
