Key Points:
- India beat West Indies by five wickets, chasing 196 with Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 guiding the victory.
- West Indies posted 195-4, powered by a late 76-run stand between Jason Holder and Rovman Powell.
- The win secures India’s place in the T20 World Cup semifinals, where they will face England on Thursday.
India Beat West Indies by five wickets on Sunday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata to reach the T20 World Cup semifinals, chasing 196 with four balls to spare behind Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97.
Samson anchors the chase with a 12-boundary, four-six innings as India overhauls West Indies’ 195-4 in a Super Eights match. India faces England in the second semifinal on Thursday.
Chasing a challenging 196, India loses early wickets but stays in contention through Samson’s controlled aggression. He finishes unbeaten on 97, falling three runs short of a century but ensuring victory with four balls remaining.
Tilak Varma contributed 27 off 15 balls to maintain momentum in the middle overs. India reached the target at 196-5 in front of a crowd of about 67,000.
“It feels good to finish the game for the team,” Samson says after the match. “The wicket was good to bat on, and I just wanted to stay till the end.”
Samson’s Unbeaten 97 Guides India Past 196-Run Target
Samson mixes timing with power, striking 12 fours and four sixes. He accelerates in the death overs, keeping the required rate under control despite tight bowling from the West Indies attack.
India needs composure after a steady start from West Indies bowlers, who mix pace and spin to test the middle order. Samson’s shot selection and running between the wickets keep the chase on track.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav praises the effort. “Sanju was outstanding under pressure,” he says. “Chasing 196 in a big game is never easy, but he showed maturity.”
Powell, Holder Power West Indies To 195-4
Earlier, the West Indies posted 195-4 after being asked to bat. Jason Holder and Rovman Powell added an unbeaten 76 runs for the fifth wicket in the final overs, scoring 70 in the last five overs.
Powell finishes on 34 not out from 19 balls, hitting two sixes and three fours. Holder remains unbeaten on 37 off 22 deliveries with three sixes and two fours.
West Indies reshuffles its top order, promoting Roston Chase to open with captain Shai Hope and including an extra spinner, Akeal Hosein. The move produces a 68-run opening stand before Varun Chakravarthy bowls Hope for 32.
Shimron Hetmyer scores 27 off 12 balls before edging Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah strikes two balls again later when Chase, on 40, chips a slower ball to Yadav.
West Indies benefited from three dropped catches by India, including Chase on 15. “We capitalized on the chances we got,” Powell says. “But credit to India for the way they chased.”
India Set Up Semifinal Clash Against England
India beat West Indies to secure their spot in the semifinals as defending champions, where they will face England in the second semifinal on Thursday.
India beat West Indies and enters the knockout stage with momentum, but will look to improve its fielding after the dropped chances. West Indies exits the tournament despite a competitive total.
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