West Indies Vs India: Samson’s 97 fires India into semi with England clash
Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 anchored India’s chase as the co-hosts beat West Indies by five wickets to reach the T20 World Cup semi-finals, with the west indies vs india encounter finishing at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and setting up a showdown with England at the Wankhede Stadium.
West Indies Vs India: Samson batted through to finish 97 not out
Samson finished 97 not out off 50 balls, striking 12 fours and four sixes as India reached 199-5 in 19. 2 overs while chasing 196. The 31-year-old had been recalled to the side after India’s earlier Super 8s defeat by South Africa and lifted his 50th delivery over mid-on to seal victory, then struck a six and a four off Romario Shepherd to get India over the line with four balls to spare. Tilak Varma’s 27 off 15 was the next-highest score in India’s reply.
How the Windies posted 195 at Eden Gardens
West Indies finished 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, and powered two early partnerships: 68 off 53 with Shai Hope, and 34 off 16 with Shimron Hetmyer. Hetmyer made 27, while Rovman Powell and Jason Holder put on unbeaten knocks of 34 and 37 and added 76 in the last 35 balls to lift the total.
Bumrah strikes and Holder’s bowling figures
Jasprit Bumrah finished with two wickets for 36 runs after outfoxing Chase with a slower ball and then dismissing Shimron Hetmyer in the same over. West Indies’ Jason Holder also appears in the match figures from the India innings with 2-38.
Fielding lapses, tense words and missed chances
India had inserted West Indies but were sloppy in the field during the contest, dropping three catches and missing a run-out chance. Abhishek Sharma was singled out for a particularly poor fumble, and there was some tetchiness and cross words on the field as the match played out.
What the result means for the semi-finals and scheduling
The victory ensured India finished runners-up in Super 8s Group 1 behind South Africa and set up a semi-final against Group 2 winners England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday at 13: 30 GMT. For the third time in three T20 World Cups, England will meet India in the semi-finals. In the past two tournaments the team that won the England–India encounter went on to win the title, with England prevailing in Adelaide in 2022 and losing in Guyana two years ago.
