Kolkata, March,01,2026: India secured a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a five-wicket win over West Indies in their final Super 8 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
Sanju Samson scored an unbeaten 97 as India successfully chased a target of 196, their highest-ever run chase in T20 World Cup history.
West Indies, asked to bat first, posted 195 for four in their 20 overs. Rovman Powell and Jason Holder added an unbroken 76-run partnership off 35 balls in the final overs to lift the total.
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s most effective bowler, finishing with figures of two for 36.
India’s chase began with early setbacks as they slipped to 41 for two inside five overs. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were dismissed cheaply, leaving the side under pressure early.
Sanju Samson then steadied the innings with positive stroke play and found support from Suryakumar Yadav. The pair guided India to 98 for two at the halfway stage, leaving exactly 98 runs needed from the final 10 overs.
Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed soon after the break, and West Indies tightened the scoring with disciplined bowling. India required 92 runs from 48 balls at one stage.
Tilak Varma scored a quick 27 off 15 balls to ease the pressure before being dismissed in the 15th over. Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube then contributed valuable runs as India closed in on the target.
Needing seven runs in the final over, Sanju Samson struck a six followed by a four to seal the victory with four balls remaining. He finished on 97 not out, falling short of a maiden T20 World Cup century.
The win placed India second in Super 8 Group 1, behind South Africa, confirming their qualification for the semi-finals.
India will face England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. The first semi-final will be played between South Africa and New Zealand at Eden Gardens a day earlier.
In brief scores, West Indies made 195 for four in 20 overs, while India replied with 199 for five in 19.2 overs to win the match by five wickets.
