3 months ago
1
Sanju Samson (97 n.o.) was the spine arsenic India held its nervus connected a Sunday (March 1, 2026) of delight astatine the Eden Gardens. The Men successful Blue defeated the West Indies by 5 wickets successful the ICC T20 Super Eight Group 1 lucifer and sealed their semifinal berth. Chasing the visitor’s 195 for four, India finished with 199 for 5 successful 19.2 overs.
Once India commenced its pursuit, Abhishek Sharma guided a 4 disconnected Akeal Hosein. Samson chopped escaped against the left-arm spinner, picking a four, slog-sweeping a six, and yet the big was soon successful a spot of bother.
Vital stand
Both Abhishek and Ishan Kishan holed retired successful the heavy and Shimron Hetmyer, the fielder, revealed harmless hands.
At 41 for two, the defending champion needed an confederation and Samson and Suryakumar Yadav stitched 1 worthy 58. Samson carved his 50 and his skipper flicked a six disconnected Jason Holder.
However, Suryakumar recovered Sherfane Rutherford connected the fence. Samson battled on, often uncovering the obstruction and Tilak Varma gave him support. The 2 played on the turf, a Shamar Joseph implicit yielded a bouquet of fours, and Tilak launched Roston Chase into the stands.
Just arsenic India seemed to beryllium successful the hunt, Tilak failed to get past Hetmyer. It boiled down to 50 from 30, but Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube did their spot and fittingly Samson deed the winning runs. He slumped into the turf with arms aloft. It was a infinitesimal that encapsulated alleviation and ecstasy.
Earlier, Suryakumar won the toss, elected to tract and recovered an adhesive prime successful the West Indies openers Shai Hope and Chase.
Shifting gears
Skipper Hope led the charts with a six and 4 disconnected Hardik. Chase excessively shifted gears with a 4 disconnected Arshdeep Singh.
A thrust was besides essayed, and erstwhile Jasprit Bumrah steamed in, helium was reverse scooped.
Hardik was whipped for six and conscionable arsenic Chase accelerated, Varun Chakaravarthy castled Hope.
West Indies had 68, and Hetmyer swatted 2 sixes, 1 each disconnected Hardik and Varun.
Quick wickets
Bumrah past lured an borderline from Hetmyer and forced Chase into a miscued shot. And Hardik prised retired Rutherford arsenic West Indies mislaid immoderate momentum.
But Rovman Powell and Holder had different ideas. The duo’s unbeaten 76 runs concern was built upon mighty sixes. The West Indies had so gained a combative people but Samson owned the night.
Now England awaits India astatine Mumbai connected Thursday.
