On March 1, 2026, in a virtual quarter-final at Eden Gardens, the India national cricket team snatched a stunning five-wicket victory against the West Indies cricket team to secure a semifinals slot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
India had four balls to reach a daunting target of 196, and 199/5 had already been achieved, their best run-chase success in the history of the T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson was the player of the night, and he produced an unbeaten 97 with 50 balls. His innings had surpassed the earlier mark of the highest score on a World Cup chase by an Indian held by Virat Kohli. Samson hit 10 fours and 4 sixes and kept the innings alive after early defeats of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan. Tilak Varma (27) and Suryakumar Yadav (18) were also valuable contributors who kept India on track.
The West Indies had previously registered 195/4 courtesy of late fireworks by Jason Holder (37) and Rovman Powell (34). Even though Jasprit Bumrah bowled 2/36, the Caribbean team appeared to be in control at the half time point.
This Thursday, India will play the England cricket team in the second semifinal at Mumbai.
