Kolkata: A breathtaking, unbeaten knock of 97 runs off just 50 balls from Sanju Samson propelled India into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, as the defending champions defeated the West Indies by five wickets in a high-voltage Super Eights clash at a packed Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting target of 196, India lost two early wickets but never fell behind the required run rate, thanks to Samson’s masterclass. The wicketkeeper-batsman, opening the innings for the second consecutive match, smashed 12 fours and four sixes, thrilling a capacity crowd of 67,000 fans.
“It means the whole world to me,” Samson said after the match. “Right from the day I started playing, I started dreaming to play for the country. I think this is the day I was waiting for.”
The Chase: Samson Stands Tall
India’s pursuit got off to a shaky start, slipping to 41-2 in the powerplay. However, Samson found a reliable partner in captain Suryakumar Yadav (18), and the duo stitched together a crucial 58-run partnership for the third wicket to stabilize the innings.
After Suryakumar’s departure, Tilak Varma provided a quick-fire 27 off 15 balls, but it was Samson who held the innings together at one end. Even as Hardik Pandya fell for 17, Samson remained unfazed, guiding the team to the target with four balls to spare, sparking massive celebrations and a fireworks display at the historic venue.
Samson dedicated his finishing prowess to the legends of the game, adding, “I learned the art of finishing matches from the greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.”
West Indies Innings: A Late Flourish
Earlier, the West Indies posted a competitive 195-4 after being asked to bat first. The innings was defined by a dramatic late surge.
After a steady start, which saw Roston Chase (40) and Shai Hope (32) put on a platform, it was the unbroken 76-run stand between Jason Holder and Rovman Powell that propelled the total. Holder smashed an unbeaten 37 off 22 balls, while Powell remained not out on 34 off 19, plundering sixes at will in the final overs.
India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took 1/25 and 1/31 respectively, struggled to contain the late onslaught. A sloppy fielding display, which included three dropped catches, added to India’s woes, but the batting brilliance of Samson ultimately masked those errors.
“Maybe a few short, especially on a chasing ground such as this,” said a disappointed West Indian captain Shai Hope. “Probably could have gone a bit more at the end.”
What’s Next?
With this victory, India remains on track to defend their title on home soil. They will now face England in the second semi-final. The first semi-final will see the tournament’s only unbeaten side, South Africa, take on New Zealand in Kolkata on Wednesday. The grand final is scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad next Sunday.
