India’s Sanju Samson celebrates after scoring the winning runs.
| Photo Credit: K R DEEPAK
Sanju Samson (97 n.o.) was the spine as India held its nerve on a Sunday (March 1, 2026) of delight at the Eden Gardens. The Men in Blue defeated the West Indies by five wickets in the ICC T20 Super Eight Group 1 match and sealed their semifinal berth. Chasing the visitor’s 195 for four, India finished with 199 for five in 19.2 overs.
Once India commenced its pursuit, Abhishek Sharma guided a four off Akeal Hosein. Samson cut loose against the left-arm spinner, picking a four, slog-sweeping a six, and yet the host was soon in a spot of bother.
Vital stand
Both Abhishek and Ishan Kishan holed out in the deep and Shimron Hetmyer, the fielder, revealed safe hands.
At 41 for two, the defending champion needed an alliance and Samson and Suryakumar Yadav stitched one worth 58. Samson carved his fifty and his skipper flicked a six off Jason Holder.
However, Suryakumar found Sherfane Rutherford on the fence. Samson battled on, often finding the fence and Tilak Varma gave him support. The two played along the turf, a Shamar Joseph over yielded a bouquet of fours, and Tilak launched Roston Chase into the stands.
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Just as India seemed to be in the hunt, Tilak failed to get past Hetmyer. It boiled down to 50 from 30, but Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube did their bit and fittingly Samson hit the winning runs. He slumped into the turf with arms aloft. It was a moment that encapsulated relief and ecstasy.
Earlier, Suryakumar won the toss, elected to field and found an adhesive quality in the West Indies openers Shai Hope and Chase.
Shifting gears
Skipper Hope led the charts with a six and four off Hardik. Chase too shifted gears with a four off Arshdeep Singh.
A drive was also essayed, and when Jasprit Bumrah steamed in, he was reverse scooped.
Hardik was whipped for six and just as Chase accelerated, Varun Chakaravarthy castled Hope.
West Indies had 68, and Hetmyer swatted two sixes, one each off Hardik and Varun.
Quick wickets
Bumrah then lured an edge from Hetmyer and forced Chase into a miscued shot. And Hardik prised out Rutherford as West Indies lost some momentum.
But Rovman Powell and Holder had other ideas. The duo’s unbeaten 76 runs partnership was built upon mighty sixes. The West Indies had indeed gained a combative score but Samson owned the night.
Now England awaits India at Mumbai on Thursday.
Published – March 01, 2026 11:32 pm IST
