The Sunday evening in Kolkata belonged to Sanju Samson who played a special innings and helped India chase down 196 set by West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal clash of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Samson guided India home to a five-wicket victory with the opener remaining unbeaten on 97. When the tournament kicked off, Samson was never India’s first-choice opener, rather the team management opted for the left-handed duo of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma. In the group stage, Samson had featured in the game against Namibia where scored 22.
But when the left-handed combination came undone against off-spin, Samson was drafted in with Ishan dropping to No. 3. The batter from Kerala made impact with his knock of 24 against Zimbabwe in the Super Eight. Then followed it up with a match-winning knock of 97 not out off 50 balls, studded with 12 fours and four sixes.
“We all know how good a player Sanju is,” head coach Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.
“It was all about backing him and when the team needed him the most.
“Obviously today was the day when he probably showed his full potential.
“I have always said that he is a world-class player. He is a great talent and hopefully he can kick on from now and we can see a lot more innings like this.”
India’s next stop would be Mumbai where they take on a rampaging England in the semifinal on Thursday. When asked about India’s preparation against a top team like England, Gambhir said, “Look, they’re a world-class team, they’re a quality team, they’ve got a lot of quality players as well.”
Gambhir said the conditions at Wankhede would be different and wants the team to put their best foot forward.
“We all know that playing at the Wankhede is a tough game, but it’s another opportunity to do something special for the team and for the country.
“Hopefully we play our best game, that is going to be very important and we can keep ticking all the boxes.”
England are currently looking ominous and it would require more than 100 percent to beat them and seal a place in the final.
“That is going to be important,” Gambhir said.
“Because we will need a special effort to beat a quality side like England.”
