Sanju Samson’s 97 takes India past West Indies and sets up England semi

sanju samson produced an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls as India chased down 196 to beat West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, a win that clinched a runners-up finish in Super 8s Group 1 and set up a semi-final with England in Mumbai.

Sanju Samson’s unbeaten innings: 97* off 50 balls at Eden Gardens

Sanju Samson batted through India’s reply, finishing 97 not out from 50 deliveries with 12 fours and four sixes. The 31-year-old, recalled to the side after losing his place on the eve of the tournament following India’s heavy Super 8s defeat by South Africa, struck his 50th delivery over mid-on and then hit a six and a four off Romario Shepherd to get India over the line with four balls to spare. India reached 199-5 in 19. 2 overs while chasing 196; Holder returned figures of 2-38 in India’s innings. Tilak Varma’s 27 off 15 was the next highest score for India as Samson anchored the chase.

West Indies posted 195-4 after being put in to bat

West Indies made 195-4 in their 20 overs. Roston Chase, handed an opening slot for the first time in Twenty20 internationals, top-scored with 40 off 25. Shimron Hetmyer made 27 and Shai Hope contributed 32 off 33. Rovman Powell and Jason Holder finished unbeaten on 34 and 37 respectively, their late partnership adding 76 off the last 35 balls to lift the total.

Jasprit Bumrah strikes and India’s fielding lapses

Jasprit Bumrah finished with 2-36, using a slower ball to outfox Roston Chase before dismissing Shimron Hetmyer for 27; he removed both batters in the same phase of the innings. Earlier fielding mistakes cost India: they dropped three catches, with Abhishek Sharma guilty of a particularly poor fumble, and they also missed a run-out chance after electing to insert West Indies.

Group outcome: runners-up in Group 1 and a Mumbai semi-final with England

The co-hosts’ victory ensured India finished as runners-up in Super 8s Group 1 behind South Africa, and therefore will face Group 2 winners England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday at 13: 30 GMT. For the third successive T20 World Cup, England and India will meet in the semi-finals.