India booked their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a five-wicket win over West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday.
It was a high-pressure game, almost like a quarter-final. The team that won would move ahead, and India held their nerve when it mattered most.
Chasing a stiff total, India were led by a brilliant unbeaten 97 from 50 balls by Sanju Samson. He stayed calm till the end and finished the match in style.
Samson’s knock was filled with clean hits and smart running between the wickets. Fans at Eden Gardens stood up to applaud what many are calling a career-defining innings.
The West Indies had earlier posted a strong score in what turned out to be a high-scoring contest. India’s bowlers managed to keep things under control in the middle overs to stop the total from going even higher.
Though the bowling figures reflected a tough day, the unit did enough to give the batters a fair chance in the chase.
With this result, India will now face England in the second semi-final on March 5, 2026, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The knockout clash promises to be another big test.
The win also confirmed the final semi-final line-up and ended the hopes of the other teams in the group. India finished the Super 8 stage with a strong net run rate.
Cricket experts have pointed out that India have been very steady in ICC knockout matches over the past two years. This latest win adds to that growing record.
West Indies captain Shai Hope admitted his side missed a big chance. He said they had a good total on the board but could not defend it under pressure.
Officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India praised the team’s calm approach. They said the players showed great composure in a must-win game.
For now, the spotlight belongs to Samson. On a big stage, in a must-win match, he delivered when India needed him the most.
India now head to Mumbai full of confidence, with fans dreaming of another ICC trophy.