INDvsWI, Super 8, T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson's 'innings of a lifetime' takes India to semis in Kolkata

Kolkata: In what could be termed as the best inning of his career, Sanju Samson's unbeaten 97 off 50 balls helped India complete their highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history against the West Indies to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. India chased down 196 with four balls left and 5 wickets in hand in front of a 60,000+ crowd in Kolkata on Sunday.

West Indies flourished late after middle over dominance from Bumrah

Suryakumar Yadav asked West Indies to bat first at a chase-friendly Eden Gardens. India named an unchanged XI while West Indies made one change, bringing Akeal Hosein, replacing Brandon King.

Roston Chase gave West Indies a great start while captain Shai Hope played a shocking 33-ball 32-run innings to help their cause.

Just when the West Indies were looking to take the game away from India with the bat, Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in a single over to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 12 balls) and then Roston Chase (40 off 25 balls).

However, a late resurgence from Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls) and Rovman Powell (34* off 19) took West Indies to a fighting 195/4 in the first inning.

Read also: INDvsWI, Super 8, T20 World Cup 2026 LIVE: West Indies score 195 with Holder and Powell firing late.

India's historic chase

Although India was going after their highest chase in T20 World Cup history, on that pitch at Eden Gardens, the total looked 15-20 runs short.

Abhishek Sharma (10 off 11) looked to get going but was dismissed early in the third over off Hosein.

Ishan Kishan also went back to the pavilion while trying to go after a short ball from Jason Holder to put the 60,000+ crowd at the stadium in tension.

But captain Suryakumar Yadav and a solid-looking Sanju Samson took the responsibility on their shoulder to bail out the team. Sanju, who had a definite plan of playing straight, looked at his best, finding the boundaries in every over.

Sanju's 'hitting straight' plan worked well at Eden

Sanju reached his fifty in just 26 balls before getting set up for a bigger knock. However, after Suryakumar Yadav sliced one to deep point from Shamar Joseph, which broke their 58-run stand to make everything at 50-50 again.

Tilak Varma, who batted at No. 5, kept his place at the same batting position and looked positive from the onset. With 60 needed from the final six overs and Tilak batting at 23 off 12, along with Samson on 69 off 39 balls, Eden Gardens looked ready for another blockbuster finish.

But, the West Indies made it more interesting by removing a set Tilak as Simron Hetmyer took a brilliant catch to dismiss the southpaw batter from Hyderabad.

Tilak supported Sanju well

Although India kept the required run rate under control with a 14-run over from Joseph, West Indies made a blunder by dropping Hardik Pandya on 9. Both Sanju and Hardik took advantage of that situation, with both finding gaps and then taking singles whenever there was an opportunity.

With 17 needed from the final 12, the game again took a turn when Shamar Joseph returned Hardik on 17 off 14. But Shivam Dube's compusre and two boundaries in that over eased the things for India.

Sanju Samson then finished the job in the final over with a six and a four to remain unbeaten on 97 off 50 - what could be termed as the best innings of his career. India will now face England in the second semi-final on 5th March, 2026, at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.