The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage reached a fever pitch as India defeated West Indies by 5 wickets in a high-stakes Match 52 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on March 1. Chasing a formidable 196, India reached the target with 4 balls to spare. Sanju Samson played a career-defining innings, smashing an unbeaten 97 to anchor the chase and earn the Player of the Match award.
India faced early jitters losing both openers cheaply, but Samson’s masterclass, supported by crucial cameos from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, ensured the Men in Blue secured their spot in the semi-finals.
Match Summary: IND vs WI
Here is the complete match summary of this Super 8 Group 1 encounter:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| West Indies Score | 195/4 (20 overs) |
| India Score | 199/5 (19.2 overs) |
| Match Result | India won by 5 wickets (4 balls remaining) |
| Best Batting (WI) | Roston Chase – 40 off 25 balls (5 fours, 1 six) |
| Best Batting (IND) | Sanju Samson – 97 off 50 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes) |
| Best Bowling (WI) | Shamar Joseph – 2/42 in 4 overs (Econ: 10.50) |
| Best Bowling (IND) | Jasprit Bumrah – 2/36 in 4 overs (Econ: 9.00) |
| Player of the Match | Sanju Samson (IND) |
West Indies Innings: 195/4 in 20 Overs
West Indies opted for a fresh opening pair in Roston Chase and Shai Hope, who provided a solid foundation with a 68-run stand. Chase, in a new role, looked comfortable with 40 runs before falling to Jasprit Bumrah. Hope contributed a steady 32 before being cleaned up by Varun Chakaravarthy.
The middle order saw Shimron Hetmyer strike a quick 27, but Bumrah’s double-strike in the 12th over momentarily halted the Windies’ momentum, leaving them at 103/3. However, captain Rovman Powell (34* off 19) and Jason Holder (37* off 22) unleashed a late-inning carnage. The duo added 76 runs in the final 35 balls, punishing the Indian death bowling to post a challenging 195/4.
India Chase: 199/5 in 19.2 Overs
India’s chase began on the back foot as Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan were dismissed early in the powerplay. At 53/2 after 6 overs, the pressure was immense. Sanju Samson, promoted to the top, took charge immediately, punishing Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie to keep the required rate in check.
Samson found a reliable partner in Suryakumar Yadav (32 off 21), and the pair added 58 runs for the third wicket. After Surya’s dismissal, Tilak Varma chipped in with a brisk 23. The tension rose when India needed 55 off the last 32 balls, but Hardik Pandya (17) provided the necessary support to Samson. Despite a late wicket from Shamar Joseph, Samson remained calm, eclipsing Virat Kohli’s record for the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20WC chase. He finished the game with a flurry of boundaries in the final over to seal the win.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Sanju Samson’s Redemption
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter delivered his finest performance in national colors:
- With the bat: 97 off 50 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes)
- The Milestone: Surpassed Virat Kohli’s 82 for the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase.
Samson’s innings was a blend of technical precision and raw power. Walking in under heavy scrutiny, he anchored the innings after the loss of early wickets and navigated the spin threat of Motie and Chase with ease. His emotional celebration upon hitting the winning runs marked a definitive moment in his career, propelling India into a semi-final clash against England at the Wankhede Stadium.
