Kolkata, India — March 2, 2026
Kolkata, India — March 2, 2026: A decade after heartbreak in Mumbai, India delivered a statement performance to defeat the West Indies and secure a place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. Riding on an unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson, India chased down 196 to seal a five-wicket victory at Eden Gardens.
The defending champions have now reached the semifinals for the sixth time overall and the third consecutive edition.
Samson Anchors the Chase
Chasing 196, India lost Abhishek Sharma early for 10 runs. Ishan Kishan also departed for 10 during the powerplay, putting pressure on the middle order.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Samson rebuilt the innings with a 58-run stand. Suryakumar scored 18 before departing, but Samson continued to anchor the chase.
He brought up his half-century in just 26 balls and later stitched a 42-run partnership with Tilak Varma (27 off 15). Even after Hardik Pandya fell for 17 in the 19th over, the match hung in balance.
With India needing composure, Samson remained steady. He sealed the victory in the final over, striking a boundary off Romario Shepherd to take India to 199/5 in 19.2 overs.
Samson finished unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes.
West Indies Post 195/4
Earlier, West Indies posted a competitive 195/4 in 20 overs.
Captain Shai Hope (32) and Roston Chase added 68 runs for the opening wicket. After four wickets fell at 119, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell provided late acceleration with a 76-run partnership in just 35 balls.
Powell remained unbeaten on 34, while Holder scored an unbeaten 37. For India, Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets, while Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy claimed one each.
Maintaining a Perfect Record in Kolkata
India maintained a 100% T20 record against the West Indies cricket team at Eden Gardens. This marked their fifth T20 meeting at the venue — and India have won all five.
It was also India’s first T20 World Cup appearance at the venue in 10 years, making the victory even more significant.
Settling the 2016 Score
The victory carries emotional weight. On March 31, 2016, at Wankhede Stadium, India suffered a semifinal defeat to West Indies despite Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 89.
West Indies chased down 193, powered by Lendl Simmons’ 82* and Andre Russell’s explosive 43, ending India’s title hopes on home soil.
Ten years later, under Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership, India have delivered their response — knocking West Indies out and keeping their own title defense alive.
The South Africa Setback and Road to Qualification
India began the tournament strongly, winning all group-stage matches. However, a 76-run defeat to South Africa national cricket team in the Super Eight round complicated their semifinal chances.
To qualify, India needed to win their remaining matches and rely on favorable results elsewhere. South Africa’s victories over Zimbabwe and West Indies helped clear the path.
India finished the Super Eight stage with two wins and one loss, earning four points to secure a semifinal berth.
What’s Next?
India will now face England in the semifinal on March 5 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai — setting up another high-stakes knockout clash.
With momentum on their side and Samson in prime form, India are now two victories away from defending their T20 World Cup crown — a feat no team has achieved before.
