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Sanju Samson’s Heroic 97* Powers India into T20 World Cup Semifinals
KOLKATA – In a high-octane “virtual quarterfinal” at the iconic Eden Gardens, India defeated the West Indies by 5 wickets to secure their spot in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. Chasing a formidable target of 196, India reached the mark with two balls to spare, fueled by a career-defining performance from Sanju Samson.
The Chase: Samson’s Masterclass at Eden
India’s pursuit of 196 runs got off to a brisk start, but it was Sanju Samson who anchored the innings with a sensational 97 off just 50 balls*. After the early departures of Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, Samson took charge, stitching crucial partnerships with Tilak Varma (27) and Hardik Pandya (17).
The tension peaked in the final overs:
- The 18th Over: Samson surpassed Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase.
- The 19th Over: Shamar Joseph brought the Windies back into the game by dismissing Hardik Pandya, leaving India needing 7 runs off the final 6 balls.
- The Finish: Samson finished the job in style, clubbing Romario Shepherd for a boundary over mid-on to seal the victory and ignite celebrations across Kolkata.
West Indies Post a Mammoth Total
Earlier, the West Indies lived up to their “power-hitting” reputation after being sent in to bat. Roston Chase (40) and Shai Hope (32) provided a steady foundation before a late-order assault by Jason Holder (37)* and Rovman Powell (34)*. The duo added 76 runs in the final six overs, propelling the Windies to 195/4.
Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with 2/36, while Varun Chakaravarthy provided the initial breakthrough by removing Hope.
India vs West Indies: Match Summary Table
| Team | Score | Top Performer |
| West Indies | 195/4 (20 ov) | Roston Chase (40), Jason Holder (37*) |
| India | 199/5 (19.4 ov) | Sanju Samson (97)*, Tilak Varma (27) |
The Result: India won by 5 wickets and will face England in the semifinals.
India vs West Indies: What’s Next for the Men in Blue?
With this victory, India joins England, South Africa, and New Zealand in the knockout stage. The defending champions seem to have found their “fearless” rhythm just in time for the business end of the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): India vs West Indies
1. Who won the India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026 match?
India won by 5 wickets. They successfully chased down a target of 196 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 1, 2026. This victory confirmed India’s place in the semifinals.
2. What was Sanju Samson’s score in the match?
Sanju Samson played a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 97* runs off 50 balls. His innings included 12 fours and 4 sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award.
3. Did Sanju Samson break any records during this game?
Yes. With his 97*, Samson now holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup run-chase, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous record of 82*. It was also India’s highest successful run-chase in T20 World Cup history.
4. Who will India face in the T20 World Cup semifinals?
India is set to face England in the second semifinal. The match is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5, 2026.
5. Which other teams have qualified for the semifinals?
The four semifinalists for the 2026 T20 World Cup are:
- South Africa (Group 1 Winners)
- India (Group 1 Runners-up)
- England (Group 2 Winners)
- New Zealand (Group 2 Runners-up)
6. What was the final score for the West Indies?
The West Indies posted 195/4 in their 20 overs. Top contributors included Roston Chase (40) and Jason Holder (37*). Jasprit Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, taking 2/36.
