Sanju Samson Stands Tall As India Pull Off Highest T20 World Cup Chase To Set Up SF With England

Sanju Samson powered India to a stunning win [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

India hammered West Indies by five wickets in their final Super Eights clash of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, and stormed into the semi-finals in style. With this commanding chase, India have set up a semi-final against England in Mumbai on Thursday, while West Indies have been shown the exit door.

Notably, this is India’s highest successful run chase in T20 World Cups. Even more significantly, it is the first time they have chased down a 160-plus target in the tournament without Virat Kohli in the XI. For years, Kohli had carried the baton in big chases: Player of the Match in the 2014 semi-final vs South Africa, the 2016 virtual quarter-final vs Australia, and that unforgettable 2022 night against Pakistan.

But this time, Sanju Samson took on the baton. With fearless batting and nerves of steel, he anchored the chase and showed that India’s new generation is ready to own the big stage.

Here’s a look at India vs West Indies highlights.

West Indies power to 195 after late assault

After being asked to bat first, Shai Hope and Roston Chase gave West Indies a steady launchpad. They reached 45 without loss in the powerplay and quietly stitched a 68-run opening stand. Hope anchored with 32 off 33 while Chase looked more fluent, striking 40 off 25 before Jasprit Bumrah broke through.

Once Hope departed, India sensed an opening. Bumrah struck again to remove Shimron Hetmyer for 27 off just 12 balls. For a brief moment, the brakes were on. West Indies slipped to 103/3 in the 12th over.

But Sherfane Rutherford and Rovman Powell ensured there was no collapse. Rutherford’s quick 14 kept things moving before Hardik Pandya got him. At 119/4 in 14 overs, the game was still evenly poised.

Then came the hammer blow. Powell and Jason Holder turned the last five overs into a boundary exhibition. The duo added 50 runs in just 20 balls. The final five overs produced 70 runs without losing a wicket.

Holder’s 37* off 22 and Powell’s unbeaten 34 off 19 shifted the momentum firmly as West Indies posted195/4. India’s bowlers were decent but not ruthless. Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India as he finished with 2/36.

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Samson Steers India Through Record Run Chase

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson walked out with 196 run target on the board and no room for nerves. Abhishek tried to get going early but never really found rhythm. He managed 10 off 11 before Akeal Hosein struck, and India were 29/1 inside three overs.

Ishan Kishan came in with positive intent. Two crisp boundaries got the crowd buzzing, but his stay was short. Jason Holder removed him for 10 off 6, and India slipped to 41/2 in the fifth over.

Samson, though, looked in a different zone. He kept the scoreboard ticking, found the gaps, and punished anything loose. India reached 53/2 at the end of the powerplay. Suryakumar Yadav joined Samson and the pair stitched a quick 50-run stand in just 27 balls. Samson reached his fifty in 26 deliveries as he mixed clean lofted shots with smart placement.

Shamar Joseph broke the stand by dismissing Suryakumar for 18. At 99/3, the game was evenly poised. Tilak Varma walked in and didn’t waste time. He got onto the act quickly, taking on the spinners and keeping the required rate in check. He scored a quickfire 27 off 15 balls before Jason Holder struck to dismiss him.

Hardik Pandya walked in with the job half done but could not finish it off. He chipped in with a handy 17. At 179/5, West Indies sniffed a late twist.

However, Samson refused to blink. Calm as ever, he farmed the strike smartly. Shivam Dube joined him and landed two crucial boundaries that dragged the equation down to 7 off the final over. Eden was on its feet.

Then came the killer blow. Romario Shepherd ran in. First ball, Samson launched it for a six. No hesitation, no half measures. Next ball, he lofted it over mid-on for four as India sealed the chase in style and Samson stayed unbeaten on 97 off 50 balls with 12 fours and four sixes.

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