Sunday evening in Kolkata turned into a landmark moment for Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 97 from 50 balls powered India national cricket team into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
India were under pressure at 41/2 while pursuing a daunting 196 against the West Indies cricket team in what effectively served as a quarter-final. Samson’s counterattack steadied the innings and ensured India finished second in their Super 8 group.
Valuable late contributions from Tilak Varma (27 off 15) and Shivam Dube (8* off 4) helped close out the chase without late complications. Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling effort with figures of 2/36 in his four overs.
Below is a breakdown of the major records India achieved at Eden Gardens.
Most T20 World Cup Semi-Final Appearances
India equalled Pakistan and England with a sixth semi-final qualification in T20 World Cup history.
- Pakistan national cricket team – 6 (2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2021, 2022)
- India – 6 (2007, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024, 2026)
- England cricket team – 6 (2010, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2026)
India’s Highest Successful Chases in T20 World Cup
The 196-run pursuit is now India’s highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing their previous best of 173 against South Africa in 2014.
- 196 – vs West Indies, Eden Gardens, 2026
- 173 – vs South Africa, Mirpur, 2014
- 161 – vs Australia, Mohali, 2016
Most Boundaries by an Indian in a T20 World Cup Match
Samson struck 16 boundaries (fours and sixes combined), the most by an Indian batter in a single T20 World Cup match. He overtook Rohit Sharma’s tally of 15 against Australia in 2024.
- Sanju Samson (97*) vs West Indies, Kolkata, 2026 – 16
- Rohit Sharma (92) vs Australia, Gros Islet, 2024 – 15
- Suryakumar Yadav (84*) vs USA, Wankhede, 2026 – 14
- Suresh Raina (101) vs South Africa, Gros Islet, 2010 – 14
Highest Successful Run-Chases in T20 World Cups
India’s 195/5 in pursuit of 196 ranks as the third-highest successful chase in T20 World Cup history.
- England – 230/8 vs South Africa, Wankhede, 2016 (Target – 230)
- South Africa national cricket team – 208/2 vs West Indies, Johannesburg, 2007 (Target – 206)
- India – 195/5 vs West Indies, Kolkata, 2026 (Target – 196)
- United States national cricket team – 197/3 vs Canada, Dallas, 2024 (Target – 195)
- Australia national cricket team – 197/7 vs Pakistan, Gros Islet, 2010 (Target – 192)
- West Indies – 196/3 vs India, Wankhede, 2016 (Target – 193)
Highest Individual Scores in Successful T20 World Cup Chases for India
Samson’s unbeaten 97 is now the highest individual score by an Indian in a successful T20 World Cup chase, moving past Virat Kohli’s 82* against Australia in 2016.
- Sanju Samson – 97* (50) vs West Indies, Kolkata, 2026
- Virat Kohli – 82* (78) vs Australia, Mohali, 2016
- Virat Kohli – 82* (53) vs Pakistan, Melbourne, 2022
India will next meet England in the semi-final at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Match 5 at 7 PM (IST). A win there would see them face the victor of the South Africa vs New Zealand semi-final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
