3 min readUpdated: Mar 1, 2026 10:55 PM ISTSanju Samson's knock helped India beat West Indies and qualify for T20 World Cup 2026 semifinals. (Express photo by Partha Paul)Sanju Samson’s sensational 50-ball 97 knock helped India chase down their biggest T20 World Cup total in a virtual quarterfinal clash against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, powering the Men in Blue to the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.In a pursuit of 196, Samson played one of his best knocks under pressure to give India a famous victory over the Windies. India will now face England in the second semifinal at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 5th March.FOLLOW LIVE | INDIA VS WEST INDIES T20 WORLD CUP 2026 SUPER 8 MATCHEarlier, West Indies executed a clear attacking blueprint in their virtual quarterfinal against India as they rode on Roston Chase’s foundation before unleashing a late assault to post an imposing 195/4.Chase, making full use of two reprieves, struck a fluent 40 off 25 balls as he added 68 runs for the opening wicket with Shai Hope (32 off 33).The pair ensured early momentum with a measured yet proactive approach against the new ball.India clawed back briefly when Jasprit Bumrah delivered a double strike in the 12th over to stall the charge. But the respite proved short-lived.Story continues below this adRovman Powell (34 not out off 19 balls; 3×4, 2×6) and Jason Holder (37 not out off 22 balls; 2×4, 3×6) launched a ferocious counter-attack, stitching together an unbeaten 76-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 35 balls to provide the finishing flourish.India bowled Bumrah in short bursts and holding him back for the death overs despite his middle-overs impact.The strategy, however, misfired.Powell took apart Arshdeep Singh for 24 runs in the 16th over, derailing India’s plans. Arshdeep finished with 0/43, while Bumrah was the standout bowler with 2/36.In front of a packed Eden Gardens, India found themselves under early pressure in the high-stakes virtual quarterfinal as West Indies rode a fluent 68-run opening stand off 53 balls.Story continues below this adTeamScoreOppositionGroundYearTargetEngland230/8v South AfricaWankhede2016230South Africa208/2v West IndiesJohannesburg2007206India199v West IndiesKolkata2026196U.S.A.197/3v CanadaDallas2024195West Indies196/3v IndiaWankhede2016193Australia197/7v PakistanGros Islet2010192Netherlands193/4v IrelandSylhet2014190England190/4v Sri LankaChattogram2014190West Indies183/4v EnglandWankhede2016183New Zealand183/5v AfghanistanChennai2026183Sri Lanka184/2v AustraliaPallekele2026182Australia186/5v ScotlandGros Islet2024181England181/2v West IndiesGros Islet2024181Zimbabwe182/4v Sri LankaColombo (RPS)2026179West Indies179/4v AustraliaMirpur2014179Ireland180/4v ScotlandHobart2022177Australia177/5v PakistanDubai (DICS)2021177South Africa177/1v West IndiesAhmedabad2026177Pakistan178/2v BangladeshPallekele2012176South Africa178/3v New ZealandAhmedabad2026176New Zealand176/2v CanadaChennai2026174New Zealand175/0v U.A.E.Chennai2026174India176/4v South AfricaMirpur2014173(With PTI inputs)Stay updated with the latest sports news across Cricket, Football, Chess, and more. Catch all the action with real-time live cricket score updates and in-depth coverage of ongoing matches.© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd