KOLKATA: Sanju Samson shone as India clinched a five-wicket victory against West Indies, securing a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against England.

The reigning champions successfully met the demanding target of 197, finishing with four balls remaining.

The four teams for the semi-finals have now been confirmed.

On March 4, South Africa will take on New Zealand in the opening semi-final in Kolkata, while India is set to compete against England in the second semi-final on March 5 at Wankhede Stadium.

The hosts faced a challenging start during the power play, losing two of their crucial batsmen, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, early on. Both players were dismissed after making just 10 runs each.

Following a shaky start, Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav stabilized the innings with a partnership of 58 runs, bringing the team’s score to 99 in 10.2 overs.

The innings concluded with the dismissal of Suryakumar, who managed to score 18 runs off 16 balls, including one six and one four.

Even after losing a wicket, Samson maintained stability while Tilak Varma contributed a quickfire 27 runs off 15 balls, putting the home team in a strong position.

Samson participated in a series of partnerships as he ultimately secured victory for his team with a boundary on the second delivery of the final over.

His remarkable score of 97 off 50 balls featured four sixes and a dozen boundaries.

In the match between West Indies and India, both Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder took two wickets each.

Previously, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell gave the West Indies a crucial boost, enabling them to set a formidable score.

After choosing to bat first, the West Indies scored 195-4 in 20 overs, thanks to a strong opening partnership between Shai Hope and Roston Chase.

The duo scored 68 runs in 8.5 overs before Varun Chakravarthy successfully bowled one through the gate, dismissing captain Shai Hope.

The right-handed batsman scored 32 runs off 33 balls, featuring one six and three boundaries.

After the wicket fell, Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies’ top run scorer in the tournament, stepped up and unleashed a rapid 27 runs off just 12 deliveries to elevate the scoring rate. The left-handed batsman struck two sixes and a four during his dynamic innings.

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His aggressive play propelled the score to 102 in 11.3 overs before Jasprit Bumrah dismissed both established batsmen — Hetmyer and Chase (40 runs off 25 deliveries) in quick succession, placing India in a commanding position.

India successfully subdued the West Indies, leading to the dismissal of Sherfane Rutherford for 14 runs. Consequently, the West Indies found themselves at 119-4 after 14.1 overs.

Nonetheless, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell delivered a crucial late surge for their team, achieving an unbroken partnership of 76 runs off merely 35 balls.

Holder delivered an impressive performance, smashing three massive sixes and two fours to score an unbeaten 37 off 22 balls, while Powell contributed with a solid 34 not out from 19 deliveries, including two sixes and three boundaries.

In the match against the West Indies, Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets.