Summary of this article
West Indies posted 195-run total as India dropped three catches
Hosts chased down target in 19.2 overs with five wickets to spare
Sanju Samson hit 26-ball fifty en route undefeated 97
Playing only his third game of ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju Samson batted like a dream at the Eden Gardens on Sunday (March 1) to guide India past West Indies and into the semi-finals. The marauding wicketkeeper-batter slammed an unbeaten 97 off just 50 deliveries as the reigning champions chased down the Windies' 196-run target in 19.2 overs.
Samson, who was drafted into the side only after Abhishek Sharma was indisposed for the Namibia match, stayed there from start to end in a chasing masterclass. He got to his fifty off 26 balls and cracked 12 fours and four sixes, finishing off the match with a breathtaking six and then a four against seamer Romario Shepherd in the last over.
Samson dispatched left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein for two sixes and a four in the third over of the Indian innings to make his intentions clear at the outset. He unleashed his trademark backfoot pulls to destructive effect, and stroked the ball sweetly to all parts of the ground.
Having lost the key wickets of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan inside the powerplay, India had reached 53/2 after six overs. But the pair of Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav responded well by keeping the run-rate around 10 per over. Suryakumar eventually fell for a 16-ball 18, but Samson kept propelling India towards the 196-run target, staying in the middle till the end.
ALSO READ: India Vs West Indies Highlights
Earlier, the Windies posted a competitive 195 for four, riding on contributions from Roston Chase (40), Shai Hope (32), Jason Holder (37 not out) and Rovman Powell (34 not out). Chase, making full use of two reprieves, added 68 runs for the opening wicket with Hope.
India fought back briefly when Jasprit Bumrah delivered a double strike in the 12th over to stall the charge. But the respite proved short-lived.
Powell and Holder launched a ferocious counter-attack, clobbering an unbeaten 76-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 35 balls to provide the finishing flourish. The total seemed even more daunting after India lost the early wickets, but Samson had other plans.
The Men In Blue will next meet England in the semis on March 5 at the Wankhede Stadium. The Windies stand eliminated from the tournament, while the first semi-final pits South Africa against New Zealand in Kolkata on March 4.
India Vs West Indies, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Toss Update
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and decided to bowl first against West Indies. The hosts played an unchanged XI from their previous game, meaning Rinku Singh did not get a look in. For the Windies, Akeal Hosein returned in place of Brandon King.
India Vs West Indies, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Playing XIs
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
India Vs West Indies, ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Squads
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.
How did India qualify for T20 World Cup semi-finals?
India qualified for the semis by defeating West Indies in their last Super Eights match at the Eden Gardens, to finish second in Group 1 behind South Africa.
Did India make any changes to their playing XI?
No, India played the same side that beat Zimbabwe in their last outing.
Who was the Player of the Match in the India vs West Indies game?
Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match in the India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup Super Eights clash for his unbeaten 97 off 50 balls and two catches.
