India stormed into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after a composed and commanding unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson guided them past West Indies in their Super Eights clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
In a high-pressure contest where wickets kept falling at the other end, Samson anchored the chase with remarkable calmness. His 97 not out, studded with 12 fours and four sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award and ensured India crossed the line in the final over to secure a place in the last four.
BIG occasion BIG knock
Sanju Samson is adjudged the Player of the Match at the Eden Gardens ✨
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ur4pr8Bi3K#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/tmKNBWbFNA
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2026
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri described the innings as a potential turning point in Samson’s career, praising his temperament in a knockout scenario.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri said, “It is Sanju’s special Samson today, and that innings was special because of just his calmness, his composure, and just the sublime touch right through that innings.
Take a bow, Sanju Samson ♂️#TeamIndia | #T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/8sDSdkiIWw
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2026
“You had everything. You had timing, you had placement, you had explosive power, you had class. What I liked best was even with wickets falling around him, he never lost his cool. He was calm and composed in front of a big crowd.
“This was not a league game. This was a knockout contest. Expectations from Samson have always been huge. No one has questioned his talent, but there has been disappointment over consistency. He brought everything to the fore today and made millions around the globe happy.”
India’s chase had wobbled when captain Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed for 18 in the 11th over, leaving the side in a tricky position. Samson, however, took control of the innings, stitching together crucial partnerships with Tilak Varma (27) and Hardik Pandya (17) to steady the ship. Despite the late drama, his authority over the chase rarely seemed in doubt.
With the win, India have set up a semi-final clash against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Samson’s return to form comes at the perfect time as India prepare for a high-stakes knockout encounter.