India booked their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup semifinals after a nerve-wracking five-wicket win over West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Chasing a stiff 196, India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs, thanks to a sensational unbeaten 97 off 50 balls from Sanju Samson.
Opening the innings in a tactical move, Samson rose to the occasion under immense pressure. His knock, studded with 12 fours and four sixes, kept India in the hunt despite early setbacks. He found crucial support from Suryakumar Yadav and later from Hardik Pandya, ensuring the asking rate never spiraled out of control. Samson sealed the chase with four balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations in the packed stadium.
Earlier, West Indies posted a competitive 195/4. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a crucial double strike in the middle overs, removing key batters and shifting momentum briefly in India’s favour. However, a late onslaught from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder added 70 runs in the final five overs, pushing the total close to 200.
India’s fielding lapses, including dropped catches and misfields, nearly proved costly. But Samson’s calm and calculated approach under scoreboard pressure ensured the hosts crossed the line.
With this victory, India now head to Mumbai for a high-voltage semifinal clash against England at Wankhede Stadium.
