India Vs West Indies Highlights, T20 World Cup 2026: Sanju Samson Masterclass Propels Men In Blue To Semis

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the crucial Super 8 clash between India and West Indies. With a semifinal spot at stake, tonight’s IND vs WI fixture promises knockout-level intensity. Stay tuned for live score updates and key moments.

Bright and sunny conditions in Kolkata with no rain threat. India and West Indies are level on two points, winner qualifies for the semifinals, while the loser exits. A washout would see WI advance on superior Net Run Rate.

India: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Varun Chakravarthy

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, and Shamar Joseph

Ahead of the must-win T20 World Cup Super 8 clash against India in Kolkata, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy stated that “history could repeat itself.” Notably, Sammy’s West Indies had beaten India by seven wickets in the 2016 T20 World Cup semifinal in Mumbai.

India and West Indies have met four times in T20 World Cup history, with the Windies leading the rivalry 3-1. Their most memorable meeting came in the 2016 semifinal, where West Indies defeated India by seven wickets in Mumbai.

The first ball will be bowled at 7pm IST, with the toss scheduled for 6:30pm. The India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup Super Eights clash will be live streamed on the JioHotstar app and website in India. It will be telecast on the Star Sports Network TV channels in the country.

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh.

West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Quentin Sampson, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Jayden Seales.

The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata is expected to be batting-friendly tonight. The surface offers true bounce and with a fast outfield, stroke-makers could have a gala time. However, as the game progresses, the dry nature of the track could assist spinners in the middle overs, while evening dew may favour teams chasing under lights.

Having lost his father Khanchand Singh to liver cancer just a day back, India finisher Rinku Singh rejoined the team late on Saturday and has been batting in the pre-game warm-ups, ESPNCricinfo reports. Despite still processing his loss, Rinku is available to take part in the high-stakes game, though it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the playing XI.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav wins the toss and gleefully decides to bowl first against West Indies. Same team as last game, says SKY to Ravi Shastri.

West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph

India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah

It's almost time. The two teams line up in the middle for the customary pre-match national anthems. West Indies' anthem playing first, then India's. Live action coming up in five minutes.

Right then. Arshdeep Singh with the brand new white ball and Windies skipper Shai Hope out to open alongside Roston Chase. It's a really tight first over from the left-arm seamer, giving away no width and conceding just three runs.

WI: 3/0 (1)

India squander a golden chance to run Roston Chase out in the third over. A miscommunication with Shai Hope leaves both batters near the non-striker's end, but Varun Chakravarthy throws it at the same end. Chase gets enough time to return, and takes advantage with back-to-back fours off Arshdeep.

WI: 28/0 (4)

Another chance missed, this time a straightforward catch. Roston Chase is again the beneficiary as he skies one towards the covers, where Abhishek Sharma makes a mess of it. India need to be more clinical in the field, if they are to avert a big total.

WI: 56/0 (7)

India finally get the opening breakthrough. Varun Chakravarthy comes in and returns to his early wicket-taking ways, castling Shai Hope for a sluggish 32 (off 33). It was the first 50-plus opening partnership against India in this World Cup, underlining their bowling strength with the new ball.

WI: 82/1 (10)

It's that man Jasprit Bumrah again. India's pace ace brings them two crucial wickets in the same over to change the game, as is his wont. He first has the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer nicking behind, and then gets Roston Chase to miscue another one, this time caught at covers by captain Suryakumar. In the meantime, Hetmyer smashes his 19th six to break the record for the most maximums in a single T20 World Cup edition.

WI: 119/3 (14)

Hardik Pandya has Sherfane Rutherford caught behind for a 9-ball 14, but that brings Jason Holder to the middle. The tall Windies all-rounder gets in the act immediately with Rovman Powell, as the duo demonstrates exactly why their batting order has been so destructive this tournament. India are now staring at a 210-plus total, unless they can claim a couple of quick wickets.

WI: 163/4 (17)

Arshdeep Singh only concedes six runs off the 19th over, but Jasprit Bumrah's 20th goes for 14 as the Windies finish with a 195-run total. It's a good pitch and is likely to stay that way, sure. But make no mistake, this will take some chasing from India in a pressure-cooker situation. Let's see how much dew there is in the second innings, that could aid the hosts' cause.

WI: 195/4 (20)

Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein takes the new ball for West Indies, and Abhishek Sharma takes strike against him. The southpaw gets going with a confident lofted shot over covers for a boundary off the second ball, and pinches a single off the last ball. Sanju Samson at the other end for India, who desperately need a strong opening stand.

IND: 5/0 (1)

Sanju Samson is in the zone! The dashing wicketkeeper-batter carts Akeal Hosein for two sixes and a four to make his intentions crystal clear. But Hosein bounces back with the prized wicket of Abhishek Sharma, as the southpaw holes out at deep square leg for an 11-ball 10. In comes Ishan Kishan, and elegantly whips Matthew Forde for a boundary off his second ball.

IND: 37/1 (4)

India lose Ishan Kishan cheaply too! The aggressive left-hander toe-ends a Jason Holder delivery to Hetmyer in the deep to depart for a 6-ball 10. Big blow, given the form Kishan has been in.

But that brings captain Suryakumar Yadav to the middle, and he tees off in the leg side against Holder to take 14 runs off the seventh over alongside Samson.

IND: 67/2 (7)

Cometh the hour, cometh the man for India. Sanju Samson breaks a 12-innings half-century drought to cross the 50-run mark off 26 balls. He gets there with a cracking boundary through the offside against Gudakesh Motie. He has taken India to a decent position in this virtual quarter-final.

IND: 98/2 (10)

Shamar Joseph breaks the crucial partnership between Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson, with the Indian captain slicing one to deep point. But Samson continues in his unfettered ways, as Tilak Varma joins him. India need 60 off 36 balls with seven wickets intact.

IND: 136/3 (14)

A slower ball from Jason Holder accounts for Tilak Varma (27 not out off 15 balls), and that brings Hardik Pandya to the crease. The destructive all-rounder takes little time in getting to top gear, even as Samson continues to stroke the ball beautifully. India still in a very good position to make the semi-finals!

IND: 171/4 (17)

Take a bow, Mr. Samson! What a knock it has been from the Kerala marauder, who dispatches Romario Shepherd for a glorious six and a four in the final over to finish the chase almost single-handedly. He ends up unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls to take India into the semi-finals with a five-wicket win.

IND: 199/5 (19.2)

India, as was pre-decided, will play the second semi-final. They will take on England at the Wankhede Stadium on March 5. The first semi-final features South Africa against New Zealand in Kolkata on March 4.