Sanju Samson’s scintillating 97* anchored India to a thrilling five-wicket victory over West Indies in a must-win T20 World Cup Super Eight clash at Eden Gardens on Sunday, securing the team’s place in the semifinals against England.
Electing to field first, India restricted the Caribbean side to 195/4. West Indies recovered from early setbacks through a late blitz from Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls) and Rovman Powell (34* in 19 balls), who stitched together a 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Openers Shai Hope (32 off 33) and Roston Chase (40 off 25) gave the innings a solid start, but Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in quick succession to remove Shimron Hetmyer (27 in 12 balls) and Chase, putting India on top. Hardik Pandya also dismissed Sherfane Rutherford (14), leaving West Indies four down for 119. Powell and Holder attempted to revive the innings, with Powell hitting his 150th T20I six, but India’s pacers contained the scoring in the final overs.
Chasing 196, India lost early wickets, with Abhishek Sharma (10) and Ishan Kishan (10) departing inside the powerplay. At 41/2 in 4.3 overs, the chase could have faltered, but Samson’s masterclass changed the course of the game. Tilak Varma contributed a brisk 27 off 15 balls, forging a vital 42-run partnership with Samson, keeping India on track. Samson’s 50 came off just 26 balls, including six fours and three sixes, as he attacked whenever the opposition strayed in line.
Suryakumar Yadav (18) and Hardik Pandya (17) fell in quick succession, leaving India at 179/5 in 18.2 overs. With seven runs required from the final over, Samson struck Romario Shepherd for a six over deep mid-wicket, followed by a four to complete a breathtaking chase, finishing unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls with 12 fours and four sixes. Shivam Dube (8*) remained not out as support.
Samson’s innings, a perfect mix of aggression and composure, guided India past the West Indies total, ensuring they sealed the last semifinal berth. The Indian pacers, led by Bumrah, combined skill and discipline to restrict the late-order surge from West Indies, making the target achievable despite early setbacks.
India will now face England in the T20 World Cup semifinal at Mumbai on March 5.
Scoreboard:
India Innings: Abhishek Sharma c Shimron Hetmyer b Akeal Hosein 10 Sanju Samson not out 97 Ishan Kishan c Shimron Hetmyer b Jason Holder 10 Suryakumar Yadav c Sherfane Rutherford b Shamar Joseph 18 Tilak Varma c Shimron Hetmyer b Jason Holder 27 Hardik Pandya c Jason Holder b Shamar Joseph 17 Shivam Dube not out 8 Extras: (LB-5, W-7) 12 Total: (For 5 wkts, 19.2 Overs) 199 Fall of Wickets: 29-1, 41-2, 99-3, 141-4, 179-5.
Bowling: Akeal Hosein 2-0-22-1, Matthew Forde 3-0-22-0, Jason Holder 4-0-38-2, Gudakesh Motie 2-0-18-0, Romario Shepherd 2.2-0-34-0, Shamar Joseph 4-0-42-2, Roston Chase 2-0-18-0.
West Indies Innings: Shai Hope b Varun Chakaravarthy 32 Roston Chase c Suryakumar Yadav b Jasprit Bumrah 40 Shimron Hetmyer c Sanju Samson b Jasprit Bumrah 27 Sherfane Rutherford c Sanju Samson b Hardik Pandya 14 Rovman Powell not out 34 Jason Holder not out 37 Extras: (LB-1, W-10) 11 Total: (For 4 wkts, 20 Overs) 195 Fall of Wickets: 68-1, 102-2, 103-3, 119-4.
Bowling: Arshdeep Singh 4-0-43-0, Hardik Pandya 4-0-40-1. Axar Patel 4-0-35-0, Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-36-2, Varun Chakaravarthy 4-0-40-1.
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