Sanju Samson produced one of the finest knocks of the tournament, smashing an unbeaten 97 to guide India to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the West Indies in a high-pressure T20 World Cup Super Eights clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Chasing a challenging target of 196, India remained composed despite early setbacks. The West Indies, after being put in to bat first, posted an imposing 195-4, thanks to a powerful finish that saw them score 70 runs in the final five overs. Their aggressive late surge put India under significant pressure heading into the run chase.
India’s innings got off to a shaky start as they slipped to 41-2. However, opening for the second consecutive match, Sanju Samson took full control of the chase. Displaying remarkable composure and attacking intent, he struck 12 boundaries and four towering sixes in his 50-ball masterclass. His ability to rotate strike while punishing loose deliveries kept India firmly in contention throughout the innings.
Samson first stitched together a crucial 58-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav, who added a steady 18 runs. Later, Tilak Varma injected momentum into the chase with a quick-fire 27 off just 15 balls, helping India accelerate at a critical stage. Even after Varma’s dismissal in the 15th over, with India still needing 55 runs, Samson remained calm at the crease.
Hardik Pandya’s 17-run cameo further supported the chase, but it was Samson who ensured there were no late jitters. He guided India home with four balls to spare, finishing unbeaten and sealing the team’s place in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
The victory eliminated the West Indies from the tournament and set up a blockbuster semi-final encounter between India and England. With Samson in sublime form and the batting unit clicking at the right time, India will head into the knockout stage brimming with confidence.
The packed 67,000-strong crowd at Eden Gardens witnessed a memorable performance that may well be remembered as one of the defining innings of the tournament.
