Sanju Samson completed a remarkable turnaround story as India knocked out West Indies with a five-wicket win in a high-pressure Super Eights clash to enter the T20 World Cup semi-finals. At a packed Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Kerala batter delivered an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, steering the defending champions to their highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history and keeping alive hopes of retaining the trophy on home soil.
Chasing 196 in a virtual knockout encounter, India lost two early wickets but never allowed the required rate to spiral out of control. Samson, opening for the second straight match, anchored the innings with clarity and control. His knock, laced with 12 fours and four sixes, blended calculated aggression with situational awareness. When India slipped to 41-2, he stitched together a stabilizing 58-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav. Later, Tilak Varma’s brisk 27 added momentum before falling in the 15th over with 55 still needed.
Even as wickets fell around him, Samson refused to panic. He absorbed pressure, rotated strike smartly, and picked his moments to attack. Hardik Pandya’s cameo helped narrow the equation further before Samson ensured there would be no late drama. India crossed the line in 19.2 overs with four balls to spare, sparking fireworks and wild celebrations across Kolkata.
West Indies had earlier posted 195-4 after a fierce late assault. Promoting Roston Chase to open paid early dividends as he struck 40, while Shimron Hetmyer’s quickfire 27 kept the momentum alive. The turning point came in the final five overs when Jason Holder and Rovman Powell added an unbeaten 76-run stand, smashing boundaries at will to lift the total. Powell finished on 34 not out and Holder on 37 not out, pushing India into a demanding chase.
India’s bowlers had mixed fortunes. Jasprit Bumrah removed key batters, but sloppy fielding including three dropped catches nearly proved costly. However, Samson’s composure under pressure ensured those errors did not define the outcome. With this victory, India now face England in a blockbuster semi-final in Mumbai. South Africa, the only unbeaten team so far, will meet New Zealand in the other last-four clash in Kolkata. The final is scheduled in Ahmedabad next Sunday.
For Samson, long seen as a player of immense promise yet inconsistent returns, this innings may mark a defining chapter. On the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, he delivered when it mattered most. India move forward, and at the heart of their campaign stands a batter who turned doubt into dominance in a single unforgettable night.
