Kolkata: A brilliant unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson powered India to a thrilling victory over West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Eden Gardens, as the hosts booked their place in the semifinals in style.
Chasing a challenging target under pressure, Samson produced one of the finest knocks of the tournament, remaining unbeaten on 97 off just 50 balls, laced with 12 fours and four towering sixes. His composed yet attacking innings guided India home in the final over and earned him the Player of the Match award.
The match, billed as a virtual quarterfinal, saw India in trouble when skipper Suryakumar Yadav fell for 18 in the 11th over. However, Samson held firm at one end, stitching crucial partnerships with Tilak Varma (27) and Hardik Pandya (17) to keep the chase on track against a disciplined West Indies attack.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri hailed the innings as a defining moment in Samson’s career, praising his calmness and composure in a high-pressure contest.
“This was special because of his calmness and composure. This was not a league game, this was a knockout. Expectations from Samson have always been huge, and today he delivered on the big stage,” Shastri said.
Current coach Gautam Gambhir also lauded the opener, calling him a world-class talent who showed his true potential when the team needed him the most.
“He never looked rushed. It was pure timing and control. When you are in that zone, you don’t need to muscle the ball. Hopefully this is just the start for him,” Gambhir said after the match.
With the win, India advanced to the semifinal where they will face England cricket team in Mumbai on Thursday, with Samson’s form providing a major boost ahead of the knockout clash.
Source: ICC
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