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India Beat West Indies by 5 Wickets, March into T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals
Summary: Sanju Samson’s magical 97 lights up Eden Gardens as India chase down 196 against West Indies and book their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals. A night to remember for Indian cricket!*
Under the dazzling floodlights of Eden Gardens, Team India produced a high-pressure masterclass to defeat West Indies by five wickets and qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
The hero of the night was Sanju Samson, whose sensational unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls powered India to a thrilling victory in front of a roaring Kolkata crowd.
Match Details at a Glance
- Match: India vs West Indies, 52nd Match, Super 8
- Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
- Toss: India won, chose to bowl
- Result: India won by 5 wickets
- Player of the Match: Sanju Samson
- Target: 196 runs
- Chased in: 19.2 overs
West Indies Innings: Power-Packed Finish
Key Performers (WI)
- Rovman Powell – 34* (19)
- Jason Holder – 37* (22)
- Roston Chase – 40 (25)
- Shai Hope – 32 (33)
The Caribbean side looked set for a 210+ total before India pulled things back in the death overs.
Standout Indian Bowlers
- Jasprit Bumrah: 2/36
- Varun Chakaravarthy: 1/40
Bumrah’s controlled spell in the middle overs proved crucial in restricting West Indies.
India’s Chase: Samson Takes Charge
Chasing 196 in a must-win match was never going to be easy. India lost early wickets, putting pressure on the middle order.
That’s when Sanju Samson stepped up.
With calm footwork, fearless strokeplay, and smart rotation of strike, Samson anchored the chase beautifully.
Top Performers (India)
- Sanju Samson: 97* (50 balls, 12 fours, 4 sixes)
- Tilak Varma: 27 (15)
- Hardik Pandya: 17 (14)
- Shivam Dube: 8* (4)
Captain Suryakumar Yadav also played an important supporting role before India accelerated in the final phase.
India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs, sealing the win with four balls remaining.
Turning Point of the Match
The game-changing moment came in the 17th over when Samson smashed back-to-back boundaries off Romario Shepherd, shifting the momentum completely in India’s favour.
From that point, West Indies struggled to regain control.
Why This Victory Is Huge for India
This win is more than just two points.
- Confirms India’s semi-final qualification
- Boosts team morale before knockouts
- Establishes Samson as a key match-winner
- Sends strong message to rival teams
India now enter the semi-finals as one of the most confident sides in the tournament.
Player of the Match: Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson delivered one of the finest innings of the tournament.
Samson’s Match Stats
- Runs: 97*
- Balls: 50
- Strike Rate: 194
- Fours: 12
- Sixes: 4
It was a perfect blend of maturity, aggression, and leadership under pressure.
Match Score Summary
West Indies: 195/4 (20 Overs)
- Powell 34*, Holder 37*, Chase 40
- Bumrah 2/36, Varun 1/40
India: 199/5 (19.2 Overs)
- Samson 97*, Tilak 27
- Joseph 2/42, Holder 2/38
FAQs
Q1. Who won the IND vs WI match in the T20 World Cup 2026?
India defeated West Indies by 5 wickets at Eden Gardens.
Q2. Who was Player of the Match?
Sanju Samson won Player of the Match for his unbeaten 97.
Q3. Has India qualified for the semi-finals?
Yes, this victory confirmed India’s semi-final spot.
Q4. What was West Indies’ total?
West Indies scored 195/4 in 20 overs.
Q5. Where was the match played?
The match was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
India vs West Indies T20 World Cup 2026,Sanju Samson Eden Gardens 97,India Semi Final Qualification T20 WC
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