‘One of the greatest days of my life’: Sanju Samson after taking India to T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals

Sanju Samson called it one of the greatest days of his life after his unbeaten 97 powered India to a five-wicket win over West Indies and into the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Sunday.

Chasing 196 in a virtual quarter-final at Eden Gardens, India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs to complete their highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history and set up a last-four clash with England in Mumbai.

“It means the whole world to me,” Samson said after his 12 fours and four sixes anchored the chase. “Right from the day I started playing, started dreaming of playing for the country, this is the knock I was waiting for.

“I had a very special journey, a lot of ups and downs, kept doubting myself, thinking will I make it? But I am thankful to the Almighty for blessing me today.”

India had slipped to 41/2 inside five overs before Samson combined with Suryakumar Yadav to steady the innings. The pair took India to 98/2 at halfway, needing 98 more off 60 balls.

Suryakumar Yadav, the India T20 captain, said the team showed composure under pressure.

“I always say good things happen to good people who wait, who have a lot of patience,” Suryakumar said about Samson’s knock. “All his hard work, what he has been doing behind the doors when he hasn't been playing, he has got the fruits for it at the perfect stage.”

After Suryakumar fell, Tilak Varma’s 27 off 15 kept India in touch before Samson, with support from Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, closed out the chase. Needing seven in the final over, Samson struck a six and four to seal victory with four balls to spare, finishing three runs short of a maiden T20 World Cup century.

“I've been playing this format for many years. Learned from a lot of greats like (Virat) Kohli, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni,” Samson said. “That helped with my experience. I've noticed how the greats play and how they change their game according to situations.

“Last game we were batting first so I was going from ball one, but this game it was different. Every time I tried to go too high we were losing wickets… Just stayed in the present, played the ball on merit.”

Earlier, West Indies posted 195/4 after being put in to bat, with Roston Chase (40) and Shai Hope (32) laying the platform before Rovman Powell (34 not out) and Jason Holder (37 not out) added 76 in an unbroken stand to lift the total. Jasprit Bumrah returned 2/36.

The result left India second in Group 1 behind South Africa. The Proteas will face New Zealand in the first semi-final at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, with India taking on England in the second at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday.

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