Team India cruised into T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals after Sanju Samson's 97 flattened West Indies by five wickets at the Eden Gardens on March 1.
India cruise into T20 World Cup semifinal
India not just sealed their semifinal berth but also recorded their highest-ever chase in T20 World Cup history. Batting first, West Indies posted a challenging total of 195/4. In reply, India cantered to the victory line with four balls to spare.
India will now face England in the semifinal clash in Mumbai on March 5.
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Sanju Samson's career-defining 97 in India's win
Chasing a daunting target of 196, India’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing openers Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for 10 runs each inside the powerplay. With the scoreboard reading 41/2 after just 4.3 overs, the pressure was immense, and the chase appeared to be faltering. However, Sanju Samson turned the match around with a masterclass in batting, expertly navigating the middle overs alongside Tilak Varma, who contributed a brisk 27 off 15 balls. Their vital 42-run partnership kept India firmly in the hunt, with Samson bringing up a stunning half-century in just 26 balls by punishing any loose deliveries from the West Indies bowlers.
Despite a solid foundation, the middle order experienced a brief panic as Suryakumar Yadav (18) and Hardik Pandya (17) fell in quick succession, leaving India at 179/5 with only 1.4 overs remaining. Yet, Samson remained unflappable. With seven runs needed off the final over, he calmly struck Romario Shepherd for a maximum over deep mid-wicket and followed it with a boundary to complete a breathtaking chase. Samson finished unbeaten on a magnificent 97 off 50 balls—highlighted by 12 fours and four sixes—with Shivam Dube (8*) providing support at the other end.
Samson’s innings was the perfect blend of aggression and composure, guiding India comfortably past the West Indies' total to secure the final semifinal berth. This spectacular batting performance was backed by a disciplined display from the Indian pacers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, who managed to restrict the West Indies' late-order surge earlier in the night. By keeping the target within reach despite early setbacks, India ensured they would advance to face England in the semifinals.
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West Indies lose despite big total
Earlier, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell launched a brutal late assault, smashing 70 runs off the final five overs to propel the West Indies to a challenging total of 195/4. This effort set defending champions India a target of 196 in a virtual quarter-final showdown at Eden Gardens, where the winner advances to a semi-final against England in Mumbai on Thursday, while the loser faces elimination.
The West Indies made a tactical gamble at the top of the order, promoting Test captain Roston Chase to open alongside T20 skipper Shai Hope. This structural change allowed them to strengthen their bowling attack by bringing in extra spinner Akeal Hosein, resulting in the exclusion of regular opener Brandon King.
The new partnership proved more assured than in their previous match against South Africa, where they slumped to 83/7. Hope and Chase put together a solid 68-run stand before spinner Varun Chakravarthy provided India with the breakthrough, bowling Hope for 32 to a deafening roar from the 67,000 packed into the stadium.
Following the opening stand, Shimron Hetmyer briefly accelerated, racing to 27 off just 12 balls before edging a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah behind. Just two balls later, Bumrah struck again to remove Chase for 40, inducing a slow-ball chip shot to India captain Suryakumar Yadav, leaving the West Indies at 103/3.
After Sherfane Rutherford fell cheaply, Powell and Holder combined for an unbroken 76-run partnership in the final overs to finish the innings strongly. Powell remained unbeaten on 34 from 19 balls, while Holder contributed 37 not out from 22 deliveries. India's efforts were hampered by a sloppy fielding display, which included dropping three regulation catches, one of which was Chase when he was on just 15.