Eden Gardens witnessed a night to remember. Chasing a daunting 196 in what was virtually a knockout game, India defeated West Indies by five wickets to book their place in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals.
And at the heart of this remarkable victory stood one man — Sanju Samson.
Early Trouble for India
India’s chase got off to a shaky start. Abhishek Sharma fell early, followed by Ishan Kishan. Two wickets inside the powerplay put India under immediate pressure.
With Eden Gardens not known for massive successful chases — India’s previous highest being 158 — the odds were stacked against them.
But Sanju Samson had other plans.
Composure Under Pressure
Samson anchored the innings with maturity and calculated aggression. His slog-sweep six off Akeal Hosein signaled intent.
He built crucial partnerships — 58 with Suryakumar Yadav, 42 with Tilak Varma, and 38 with Hardik Pandya.
Every time India lost a wicket, Samson absorbed the pressure and shifted gears when required.
97* Off 50 Balls — A Career-Defining Knock
Samson remained unbeaten on 97 off just 50 balls, smashing 12 boundaries and four sixes.
It wasn’t just a knock; it was redemption. After a series of inconsistent performances in previous matches, Samson delivered when it mattered most. India crossed the finish line with four balls to spare.
West Indies’ Strong Finish
Earlier, West Indies posted 195/4. Rovman Powell’s assault in the 16th over against Arshdeep Singh, which yielded 24 runs, tilted momentum toward the Caribbean side.
In the final five overs, India conceded 70 runs without taking a wicket.
However, Jasprit Bumrah’s double strike in the 12th over proved to be a decisive turning point, halting West Indies’ middle-order surge.
Semifinal Spot Secured
With this win, India became the second team from Super 8 Group A to qualify for the semifinals. South Africa, England, and New Zealand had already sealed their spots.
But this match will be remembered for one thing — Sanju Samson’s Super Show at Eden Gardens.
