India has secured a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, defeating the West Indies in a tense Super Eights match. Sanju Samson delivered a masterful unbeaten knock of 97, leading India to chase down a target of 196 with four balls remaining.
This victory marks India's third consecutive semi-final appearance. They are scheduled to face England in Mumbai on Thursday. The first semi-final will feature South Africa against New Zealand.
Player-of-the-match Samson expressed his elation, stating, "This is the day I was waiting for." His 50-ball innings included four sixes and 12 boundaries.
Earlier, the West Indies posted 195-4, driven by a crucial 76-run partnership between Rovman Powell (34) and Jason Holder (37). This score represented a significant challenge, exceeding previous high chases at Eden Gardens.
In pursuit of the target, India faced early setbacks, losing openers Sharma and Kishan to be 41-2. Samson, however, maintained the scoring rate, reaching his half-century in 28 balls. Despite losing captain Suryakumar, contributions from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya kept India in contention.
Ultimately, Samson sealed the victory with a six and a four, achieving the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase, surpassing previous records. Captain Suryakumar praised Samson's dedication, noting the fruits of his consistent effort.