Sanju Samson’s stellar unbeaten 97 kept India’s hopes alive for retaining the T20 World Cup at home, as they defeated the West Indies by five wickets in Kolkata on Sunday, setting up a semi-final clash against England.
Samson dazzled the 67,000-strong crowd at Eden Gardens with a magnificent 50-ball innings, which included 12 fours and four sixes, in the decisive Super Eights match.
After being asked to bat, the West Indies powered their way to 195-4, with 70 runs coming off the last five overs. In reply, India lost two quick wickets but maintained the required run rate.
Opening for the second consecutive match, Samson anchored the chase. He and captain Suryakumar Yadav (18) steadied the innings with a 58-run partnership after India was reduced to 41-2.
Tilak Varma then joined Samson, contributing 27 off 15 balls before he fell in the 15th over with India at 141-4, still needing 55 runs. Despite Hardik Pandya’s dismissal for 17, Samson remained resolute, guiding India to victory with four balls to spare, igniting celebrations.
Earlier, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell shared an unbeaten 76-run stand for the fifth wicket, helping the West Indies set a challenging target of 196. In a strategic move, the West Indies promoted Test captain Roston Chase to open with T20 skipper Shai Hope, allowing for the inclusion of spinner Akeal Hosein and the omission of regular opener Brandon King.
The revamped opening duo provided a steadier start compared to their previous match against South Africa, where they collapsed to 83-7. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy broke the partnership by dismissing Hope for a sluggish 32.
Shimron Hetmyer scored a rapid 27 off 12 balls before edging a ball from Jasprit Bumrah, leaving West Indies at 102-2. Following the dismissals of Chase for 40 and Sherfane Rutherford, Powell and Holder unleashed a fierce late assault. Powell remained unbeaten on 34 from 19 balls, including two sixes and three fours, while Holder scored 37 not out off 22 balls, with three sixes and two fours.
