New Delhi: With India’s semi-final spot on the line, Sanju Samson delivered a match-winning innings on Sunday to take his team past the West Indies and into the last four of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
In a crucial clash at Eden Gardens, India chased down a challenging total of 196 with five wickets in hand. Samson led the charge with an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, marking the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup run-chase.
After being put into bat, the West Indies posted 195/4 on a batter-friendly track. Openers Shai Hope (32) and Roston Chase (40) gave the team a steady start, but wickets from Varun Chakaravarthy and a double strike by Jasprit Bumrah shifted the momentum in India’s favour. Jason Holder (37 off 22) and Rovman Powell (34 off 19) revived the innings with a 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking the total to a competitive 195.
Chasing 196, India started aggressively, according to icc-cricket.com. Samson smashed two sixes and a four in the third over against Akeal Hosein. Despite early setbacks, including the dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, Samson steadied the innings with key partnerships of 58 runs with Suryakumar Yadav and 42 runs with Tilak Varma. He sealed the win with a stylish shot over mid-on, finishing 97 not out.
India will now face England in the semi-finals at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.
Earlier, South Africa topped Group 1, remaining unbeaten in the tournament, while England finished first in Group 2. New Zealand joined the semi-final line-up following the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Super 8 clash in Kandy.
semi-final schedule:
March 4: South Africa vs New Zealand, Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 7 pm local
March 5: India vs England, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 7 pm local
