Sanju Samson's Stellar Performance Leads India to T20 World Cup Semifinals

Sanju Samson's outstanding performance, scoring 97* against the West Indies, has propelled India into the semifinals of the ICC T20 World Cup. In a crucial match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Samson reflected on overcoming self-doubt and learning from cricketing legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. His mature innings helped India chase down a challenging target of 196 runs. As he expressed gratitude for this significant achievement, he emphasized the importance of staying focused and trusting his instincts. With this victory, India is set to face England in the semifinals on March 5 in Mumbai.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 2, 2026, 03:13 IST

Samson's Remarkable Knock

After scoring an impressive 97* against the West Indies, Indian cricketer Sanju Samson discussed overcoming self-doubt and drawing inspiration from legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. His performance at Kolkata's Eden Gardens was pivotal, as he played a crucial role in India's successful chase of 196 runs in a must-win quarterfinal match. This innings marked a significant moment in his career, especially after facing challenges with consistency.

'It Means the Whole World to Me'

In the post-match interview, Samson expressed his gratitude and the importance of this achievement. He stated, "This means everything to me. From the moment I dreamed of representing my country, this day was what I awaited. I am thankful for this journey filled with ups and downs, and despite my doubts, I kept believing. I owe my success to the blessings I received today."

Learning from the Greats

Samson reflected on the influence of cricketing greats like Rohit and Virat, emphasizing that while he has played around 50-60 T20Is, observing their techniques in numerous matches has been invaluable. He noted, "Having played in the IPL for over a decade and representing my country for ten years, I have learned a lot from watching the best finishers in the game. This experience has been crucial in shaping my approach to the game."

'One of the Greatest Days of My Life'

He shared his mindset during the match, focusing on building partnerships despite losing wickets. Samson remarked, "I concentrated on my role, taking it one ball at a time. This day stands out as one of the best in my life. My fans energize me, but I also grapple with doubts. When those thoughts arise, I remind myself to stay present and trust my instincts, which worked well today."

Match Summary: India vs West Indies

In the match, India won the toss and chose to field first. The West Indies started strong with Roston Chase scoring 40 off 25 balls and Shai Hope contributing 32 off 33 balls, leading to an opening partnership of 68 runs. However, they faltered to 119/4. A late surge from Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls) and Powell (34* off 19 balls) helped the West Indies reach 195/4 in their 20 overs.

Jasprit Bumrah was India's standout bowler, taking 2 wickets for 36 runs in four overs, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya both finished with figures of 1/40.

During the chase, India faced early setbacks at 41/2 but a crucial 58-run partnership between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18) steadied the innings. Samson then formed partnerships with Tilak Varma (27 off 15 balls), Hardik Pandya (17), and Shivam Dube (8*), leading India to a five-wicket victory.