Desk (1 March 2026): India stormed into the semifinals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating West Indies cricket team in the 52nd match of the tournament at the iconic Eden Gardens on Friday.
Chasing a challenging target of 196 runs, India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, successfully reached 199 for 5 in just 19.2 overs to seal a thrilling victory and book their place in the semifinals.
West Indies Post 195/4
After winning the toss, Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl first. India fielded an unchanged playing XI. Batting first, the West Indies posted a competitive total of 195 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs, putting pressure on the Indian batting line-up.
Sanju Samson’s Match-Winning Knock
India’s chase was anchored by a brilliant innings from opener Sanju Samson, who played a match-defining knock. Samson remained unbeaten on 97 runs, smashing 12 fours and 4 sixes. His composed yet aggressive batting ensured India stayed on track throughout the chase.
Earlier in the innings, he brought up his half-century in quick time, scoring 53 runs off just 26 balls with 6 boundaries and 3 sixes. His consistency and fearless stroke play proved decisive in India’s successful run chase.
With this victory, India advanced to the semifinals, keeping their hopes alive for lifting the T20 World Cup title. The win sparked celebrations among fans at Eden Gardens and across the country as the team moves one step closer to the championship.
