India Storms into T20 World Cup 2026 Semifinals with Epic Chase Against West Indies

In a thrilling Super 8 clash at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India pulled off their biggest T20 World Cup chase ever, defeating West Indies by 5 wickets to secure a spot in the semifinals. Sanju Samson led the charge with an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, turning a do-or-die virtual quarterfinal into a showcase of resilience and power-hitting. Chasing 196, India reached 199/5 with 4 balls to spare, knocking West Indies out of the tournament.

West Indies posted 195/4, thanks to cameos from Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, and Jason Holder. But India's batting lineup, anchored by Samson's masterclass, overcame early jitters to script a record chase at the venue. This victory not only propels India to face England in the semis on March 4 in Mumbai but also echoes the drama of past encounters, flipping the script from the 2016 semifinal where West Indies had triumphed.

Sanju Samson, who delivered a chanceless, composed masterclass – an unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes). This knock not only ranks as the highest by an Indian in a T20 World Cup chase (surpassing Virat Kohli's previous best of 82) but also buried the ghosts of the 2016 semifinal loss to WI. Samson anchored the innings after early setbacks: Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan fell cheaply in the powerplay, leaving India at 53/2. He built crucial partnerships – 58 with captain Suryakumar Yadav and 42 with Tilak Varma – before accelerating in the death overs. In the final over, he smashed the winning boundary (and nearly finished with a six earlier), staying calm under immense pressure.

West Indies posted a competitive 195/4 thanks to solid contributions: Roston Chase (40 off 25), Jason Holder (37* off late cameos), and cameos from Rovman Powell. Jasprit Bumrah (2/36) was the pick of the bowlers, but India's batting depth shone through.

This victory flips the script from past WI dominance and highlights India's resilience in a home World Cup. Next up: A blockbuster semifinal clash against England at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 5, 2026 (7 PM IST).