Sanju Samson’s 97 Guides India to T20 World Cup Semi-Final, West Indies Eliminated

India secured a place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating West Indies by five wickets in a high-pressure Super 8 match in Kolkata on Sunday.

Opener and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson played a match-winning unbeaten innings of 97 off 50 balls, steering India to a successful chase of 196. His knock included 12 fours and four sixes and earned him the Player of the Match award.

India reached the target with four balls to spare, completing the highest successful T20 international run chase at Eden Gardens.

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bowl, India restricted West Indies to 195 for five in 20 overs. Roston Chase (40), Jason Holder (37), and Rovman Powell (34) were the main contributors, while Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets for 36 runs.

The win confirmed India’s spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, while West Indies were knocked out of the competition. India will face England in the semi-final in Mumbai on Wednesday. The other semi-final will be played between South Africa and New Zealand.

Samson carried his bat throughout the chase, showing composure under pressure as wickets fell at the other end. It was his seventh score of 50 or more in T20 international cricket and one of the most important innings of his career.

After the match, Samson said the innings meant “everything” to him, reflecting on years of struggle, self-doubt, and learning from senior players. He said experience and staying focused on the situation helped him guide the chase.

For India, the victory keeps alive hopes of defending the title on home soil. For West Indies, the defeat extended their wait to reach a World Cup semi-final since 2016, despite a competitive campaign.