India defeat West Indies to book semi-final spot at T20 World Cup
India have surged into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after Sanju Samson delivered a stunning match-winning innings to guide the co-hosts to a tense five-wicket victory over the West Indies in Kolkata.
Chasing a daunting 195 to stay alive in the T20 World Cup, India found a hero in Samson, who finished unbeaten on 97 from a composed yet explosive knock under immense pressure at Eden Gardens. With 17 still required from the final 10 balls, the right-hander held his nerve, smashing the first two deliveries of the final over for six and four before lofting the winning boundary over mid-on with four balls to spare.
Samson’s innings, featuring four sixes and 12 boundaries, capped a dramatic contest after the West Indies had earlier posted a formidable 4-195. Rovman Powell (34 not out) and Jason Holder (37 not out) finished strongly for the visitors, while India’s bowling effort was led by Jasprit Bumrah, whose double strike in the 12th over removed Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase to halt the Windies’ momentum.
India’s chase had wobbled at times with Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav all departing cheaply, but Samson found key support from Tilak Varma (27 off 15) and Shivam Dube, who helped reduce the final equation before the opener finished the job in style.
The result sets up a blockbuster semi-final clash between India and England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Cricket Bookmakers have installed India as 1.50 favourites for the contest, with England priced at 2.60.
The other semi-final will see unbeaten South Africa face New Zealand at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Thursday, with the Proteas at 1.60 and the Black Caps at 2.30.
India’s dominant performance has also tightened the outright betting markets, with the hosts now shortened to 2.20 to win the T20 World Cup, ahead of South Africa at 3.50, England (5.50) and New Zealand (6.50) as the tournament heads into its decisive stage.
