India booked their semi-final spot with a thrilling 5-wicket win over West Indies at a raucous Eden Gardens in what was essentially a virtual quarter-final.
Chasing 195 on a dew-affected surface, India were nervy early but Sanju Samson’s breathtaking unbeaten 97*, the second-highest score ever for India in T20 World Cups, anchored the chase with remarkable calm and composure.
After being dropped from the squad, recalled mid-tournament, and carrying the burden of a billion expectations, Samson finally delivered on the grandest stage.
His knock, combined with Bumrah’s devastating double strike in the first innings, ensured India marched on to face England in the semi-final at Wankhede.
IND vs WI Super 8s T20 Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup, Super 8 Group 1 |
| Venue | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Result | India won by 5 wickets |
| West Indies | 195/4 (20 overs) |
| India | 199/5 (19.2 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Sanju Samson (97*) |
| Toss | India won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
West Indies openers Roston Chase and Shai Hope provided the first 50+ partnership against India in this World Cup.
Chase blazed 40 off 25 before Bumrah’s devastating double strike in the 12th over, removing the dangerous Hetmyer (27 off 12) and Chase within three balls, completely changing the game’s complexion.
Shimron Hetmyer’s explosive cameo set a new record for most sixes in a single T20 World Cup edition. Jason Holder (37 off 22) and Rovman Powell (34 off 19) gave the innings a strong finish, steering West Indies to 195/4, though they were at least 20 runs short of a truly defendable total on this ground.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Jason Holder | 37 runs (22 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Jasprit Bumrah | 4-0-36-2 |
Second Innings Highlights
India’s chase began nervously, losing Abhishek Sharma (10) and Ishan Kishan (10) in the powerplay.
Samson held firm with zen-like composure, bringing up his fifty off just 27 balls. Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with 18 before falling to Shamar Joseph.
Tilak Varma’s electric 27 off 15 and Hardik Pandya’s punchy 17 off 14 provided vital momentum in the middle overs.
With 7 needed off the final over, Samson sealed victory in style, a six followed by a four, finishing unbeaten on 97*, India’s highest ever score in a T20 World Cup run chase.
The dew aided India’s chase, but nothing could diminish Samson’s defining knock on the grandest stage.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Sanju Samson | 97* (52 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Shamar Joseph | 4-0-42-2 |
