India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson’s Unbeaten 97 Powers India to Semifinals with 5-Wicket Win

Kolkata, Sunday: India stormed into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026 after a thrilling five-wicket victory over the West Indies cricket team at the iconic Eden Gardens. The hero of the night was Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls scripted one of India’s finest World Cup chases.

Sanju Samson’s 97* – A Knock for the Ages

Chasing a challenging target of 196, India suffered early setbacks with Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan departing inside the powerplay. With pressure mounting in a must-win Super 8 clash, Samson anchored the innings before launching a calculated counterattack.

• Half-century in just 26 balls
• Unbeaten 97 off 50 deliveries
• Match-winning partnership with skipper Suryakumar Yadav

Samson’s knock is now the highest score by an Indian batter in a chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing Virat Kohli’s twin 82-run efforts against Australia and Pakistan in previous editions.

His innings blended composure, power-hitting, and intelligent strike rotation — ensuring India crossed the finish line with four balls to spare.

West Indies Post 195/5 After Strong Finish

Earlier, West Indies posted a competitive 195/5 in 20 overs after India won the toss and opted to bowl.

• Roston Chase played a stabilizing role.
• Rovman Powell and Jason Holder provided late acceleration.
• India’s middle-overs bowling showed minor lapses despite early control.

The Caribbean side, led by Shai Hope, looked confident after setting up a defendable total, especially given their historic success at Eden Gardens in past ICC tournaments.

India’s Road to the Semifinals

India entered this clash after:

• A dominant win over Zimbabwe
• A setback against South Africa in Ahmedabad

The batting unit rediscovered its rhythm, particularly with aggressive intent in the powerplay and death overs. However, bowling consistency — especially in the middle overs — remains an area to refine ahead of the semifinals.

With this win, India officially qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals, carrying strong momentum and renewed confidence.

Key Highlights – IND vs WI

• India won by 5 wickets
• Target: 196
• Sanju Samson: 97* (50)
• Historic record in T20 World Cup chase
• Match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Conclusion

India’s victory over West Indies will be remembered for Sanju Samson’s near-century under pressure. In a virtual knockout match, he delivered a performance that not only sealed semifinal qualification but also etched his name into T20 World Cup history.