Sanju Samson 97* Powers India Past West Indies T20 WC

Sanju Samson Leads India to a Pulsating 5-Wicket Win Over West Indies

Eden Gardens went berserk. 196 to chase. 20 overs on the clock. And Sanju Samson walked in at No. 2 with a look on his face that said — this is mine.

India beat West Indies by 5 wickets with 4 balls to spare in a high-voltage T20 World Cup Super 8 clash, and it was Samson who made it happen. His 97* off just 50 deliveries — laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes — was nothing short of a batting exhibition.

As Vegas11 News reported live during the chase, this was one of those nights where cricket felt personal.

How India Chased Down 196? Over by Over Drama

West Indies posted a competitive 195/4 in 20 overs, powered by Jason Holder’s blistering 37* off 22 and Roston Chase’s commanding 40 off 25 at the top. Rovman Powell chipped in with an unbeaten 34 off 19, helping the Windies finish with a flourish.

India’s chase started shakily. Abhishek Sharma fell for 10 in the third over, Ishan Kishan followed for 10 in the fifth, and suddenly India were 41/2 inside five overs. Then Suryakumar Yadav — India captain for the evening — looked dangerous before Shamar Joseph removed him for 18.

At 99/3 and then 141/4 after Tilak Varma’s quickfire 27 and Hardik Pandya’s handy 17, the equation kept tightening.

But Samson never flinched.

“When a batter is that locked in, you feel it in the stands,” one spectator near the boundary reportedly said, captured by Vegas11 News on the ground.

With India needing 20 off the last two overs, Samson took charge — striking Romario Shepherd for consecutive boundaries to settle nerves. Shivam Dube (8* off 4) held his nerve at the other end, and India crossed the line in 19.2 overs.

West Indies Bowling — Holder and Joseph Lead but Fall Short

Jason Holder was West Indies’ best with the ball — 2/38 in 4 overs — removing both Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma at crucial moments. Shamar Joseph also took 2/42, accounting for Suryakumar and Pandya.

But no one could stop Samson. And that told its own story.

Akeal Hosein picked up 1/22 in his two-over spell to finish with the best economy, but the Windies’ bowling attack lacked the firepower to defend 196 against a Samson-led India.

India Bowling — Bumrah and Pandya Set Up the Platform

IND won the toss and chose to bowl — a decision that paid off in the middle overs.

Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with 2/36 in 4 overs, removing the dangerous Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 12, SR: 225) and Roston Chase.

Hardik Pandya claimed 1/40, while Varun Chakaravarthy added 1/40 to keep the Windies from a truly mammoth total. Arshdeep Singh was expensive — 0/43 — but helped absorb pressure in the powerplay.

West Indies fell from 103/3 to 119/4 as wickets clustered together — a collapse India’s bowlers induced at exactly the right time.

Sanju Samson Wins Player of the Match — And Rightfully So

Player of the Match: Sanju Samson (IND) — 97 off 50 balls*

97. Not out. Four balls remaining.

For a batter who has spent years on the fringes of Indian cricket’s white-ball setup, nights like this feel like vindication. His strike rate of 194.00, his composure through five wickets falling around him, and his hunger to finish the game — it all came together at Eden Gardens.

Vegas11 News cricket analysts noted post-match that this knock will likely be remembered as one of the defining innings of this T20 World Cup campaign.

Match Summary — India vs West Indies, T20 World Cup Super 8

Key Performances at a Glance

West Indies Batting: Roston Chase 40 (25), Jason Holder 37* (22), Rovman Powell 34* (19)

India Bowling: Jasprit Bumrah 2/36, Hardik Pandya 1/40, Varun Chakaravarthy 1/40

India Batting: Sanju Samson 97* (50), Tilak Varma 27 (15), Hardik Pandya 17 (14)

West Indies Bowling: Jason Holder 2/38, Shamar Joseph 2/42, Akeal Hosein 1/22

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