Kolkata (Web Desk): India beat the West Indies by five wickets as Sanju Samson delivered a breathtaking unbeaten 97 to steer his team to victory over in Kolkata on Sunday, booking a T20 World Cup semi-final clash with England.
Playing before a roaring crowd of nearly 67,000 at Eden Gardens in the decisive final Super Eights fixture, the stylish right-hander produced a commanding 50-ball display, hammering 14 fours and four sixes to guide the hosts home.
The result marked India’s second win of the round and secured their place in the last four alongside South Africa national cricket team, who advanced as Group 1 leaders after sweeping all three of their matches.
Chasing a formidable 196-run target, India completed the task with four balls remaining, despite losing five wickets during the pursuit. Samson combined patience with aggression, remaining not out while crafting his 97 from 50 deliveries in a knock studded with boundaries.
Tilak Varma provided brisk support with a 15-ball 27. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed 18, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya added 17 to keep the chase on track. For the Caribbean side, Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder picked up two wickets each, with Akeal Hosein claiming one.
Earlier, Yadav’s choice to field first appeared costly as the visitors posted an imposing 195 for 4 in their 20 overs.
West Indies laid a steady foundation through skipper Shai Hope and experienced batter Roston Chase, who shared a 68-run opening partnership before Varun Chakravarthy struck on the fifth ball of the ninth over. Hope managed 32 from 33 deliveries, striking three boundaries and a six before departing.
Chase then joined forces with the in-form Shimron Hetmyer for a quick 34-run stand, but both fell in the same over to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Chase top-scored for his side with 40 off 25 balls, including five fours and a six, while Hetmyer smashed 27 from just 12 deliveries, featuring two maximums and a four.
The innings suffered another blow in the 15th over when Pandya dismissed Sherfane Rutherford for 24, leaving the score at 119 for 4.
From there, captain Rovman Powell and Holder counterattacked impressively, compiling an unbeaten 76-run partnership for the fifth wicket in only 35 balls to provide late momentum.
Holder finished on an unbeaten 37 from 21 deliveries, striking three sixes and two fours, while Powell remained 34 not out off 19 balls, finding the boundary three times and clearing it twice.
Bumrah stood out with the ball for India, returning figures of 2 for 36 in his four overs, while Chakravarthy and Pandya took one wicket apiece.