A breathtaking unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson powered India national cricket team into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory over West Indies cricket team at Eden Gardens.
Chasing 196 in what was effectively a quarter-final, India reached 199 for 5 in 19.2 overs, sealing the win with four balls to spare. The result sets up a semi-final clash with England cricket team, while West Indies exit the tournament.
After being asked to bat, West Indies made a steady start through Shai Hope and Roston Chase, collecting 45 without loss in the powerplay.
The opening stand was worth 68 before Varun Chakravarthy bowled Hope for 32 from 33 balls. Chase provided greater fluency with 40 off 25, while Shimron Hetmyer injected urgency in a 12-ball 27. Both were removed in the same over by Jasprit Bumrah, leaving West Indies 102 for 3.
The innings threatened to stall before a decisive late assault. Rovman Powell struck 34 from 19 and Jason Holder finished unbeaten on 37 off 22. Their 76-run stand from just 35 balls transformed the total, lifting West Indies to a formidable 195 for 4.
Bumrah led India’s bowling effort with two wickets, while Hardik Pandya and Chakravarthy claimed one each.
India’s pursuit began briskly but unevenly. Abhishek Sharma fell for 10 after a 29-run opening stand with Samson, and Ishan Kishan departed for 10 as India slipped to 41 for 2.
Samson, however, remained unfazed. He exploited the fielding restrictions and reached his half-century in just 26 deliveries, ensuring India kept pace with the required rate.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav made 18 before falling at 99 for 3. Tilak Varma added impetus with a lively 27 from 15 balls, pushing India to 141 before Holder struck.
With 17 required from the final two overs, the tension rose. Hardik contributed 17 from 14 before falling to Shamar Joseph, leaving seven needed off the last over.
Romario Shepherd was handed the ball, but Samson ended the drama swiftly. He launched the first delivery for six, reducing the equation to one from five, and India completed the chase on the next ball.
Samson’s 97 not out from 50 balls stood as the defining innings of the night
