Defending champions Team India secured the last semifinal spot of the continuing T20 World Cup after an exhilarating five-wicket win over West Indies within the Super Eights on Sunday, with 4 balls in hand.
After West Indies lost the toss and posted an enormous 195-4, opener Sanju Samson led India to 199-5 in 19.2 overs with a shocking unbeaten knock of 97 off 50 balls at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. India’s highest-ever successful run-chase on the T20 World Cup arrange a semifinal match against England in Mumbai on Thursday as well.
Sanju Samson smashed a six and a 4 off the primary two balls of the ultimate over of India’s innings to seal the deal. After hitting the winning runs, he dropped to his knees, took off his helmet and looked towards the sky before offering a prayer as well.
Cometh the hour, cometh Sanju Samson! 🫡
9⃣7⃣*(50) – A knock for the ages to take #TeamIndia into the semi-finals 👏
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/ur4pr8Bi3K#T20WorldCup | #MenInBlue | #INDvWI | @IamSanjuSamson pic.twitter.com/ftJRp2wMTE
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2026
“It means the entire world actually to me. I believe right from the day I began playing, began dreaming to play for the country, that is the day I used to be waiting for. And I’m very grateful, very thankful. I’ve all the time had a really special journey with plenty of ups and downs, but I kept on doubting myself, kept on considering: what if, what if… can I make it? But I kept on believing, and because of the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today. So I’m very comfortable,” Sanju Samson said.
“Yeah, I believe that’s why I even have been playing this format for a really very long time. Playing IPL for around 10 to 12 years and being with the Indian team for the last 10 years… I even have not all the time been playing, but I used to be looking from the dugout, learning from greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. It’s very necessary to watch, learn, and see what they were doing,” he further added.
“I never felt that I’d do something special like this” – Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson also shared how much he learned from watching matches from the dugout.
“I believe that basically helped me. With my experience, I even have only played possibly 50-60 games, but I’ve seen around 100 games. I’ve watched how the best players finish games and the way they modify their approach in accordance with the situation. Within the last game we were batting first, so it was all about setting a really high rating,” he said.
“In order that’s why I desired to go big right from ball one. But this game was completely different. As soon as I attempted to go a bit harder, we were losing wickets. So I wanted to construct a partnership, deal with my process. I never felt that I’d do something special like this – I used to be just specializing in my role, taking it one ball at a time, and I’m very grateful,” he added.
He further added that it was “considered one of the best days of his life.”
“Yeah, definitely they do bring plenty of energy and support. But alternatively, there’s all the time a matter – what if not? That keeps playing in your mind. But every time that thought got here, I brought myself into the current moment, checked out the ball, and trusted myself to react based on its merit. That worked pretty much today,” Sanju Samson concluded.
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