Sanju Samson produced a masterclass innings to steer India past West Indies in a high-stakes Super Eight clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Sunday in Kolkata.
Put into bat, West Indies recovered from a cautious start to post 195/4, with Jason Holder and Rovman Powell combining for a rapid 76-run partnership late in the innings. Powell also became the first West Indian to hit 150 sixes in T20Is during his knock of 34 off 19 balls.
Chasing 196 on a batter-friendly Eden Gardens track, India got off to a solid start despite early setbacks, losing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan in the powerplay. Samson, promoted to the top, anchored the chase with calculated aggression, striking 12 fours and four sixes in a 97* off 50 balls.
Partnerships with Suryakumar Yadav (58 runs) and Tilak Varma (42 runs) ensured India maintained control, with Samson calmly guiding the team to 199/5 in 19.2 overs to seal a five-wicket win. His innings marked the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase.
India will now face England in the semi-finals in Mumbai on Thursday, with Samson’s performance setting the tone for the defending champions as they eye back-to-back titles.
