In a nail-biting virtual quarter-final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1, 2026, India delivered a masterclass chase to defeat West Indies by 5 wickets and storm into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The ICC’s official Hindi Highlights video captures every heart-pounding moment — from explosive boundaries under pressure to game-changing wickets and Sanju Samson’s unforgettable knock that has fans calling him “SemiSon.”
India chased down 196 with 4 balls to spare, finishing at 199/5 in 19.2 overs. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement from the defending champions, knocking out the West Indies and setting up a blockbuster semi-final clash against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
West Indies’ Fight: 195/4 Sets a Daunting Target
West Indies batted first and posted a competitive 195 for 4 in their full 20 overs. Roston Chase top-scored with a quick 40 off 25 balls, while Jason Holder remained unbeaten on 37. The Caribbean side built momentum through aggressive middle-order partnerships, but India’s bowlers kept things tight.
Jasprit Bumrah was clinical with 2/36, using his variations to restrict the scoring. The Hindi commentary in the highlights brings the drama alive — Axar Patel starting with a full toss that was punished, followed by precise stump-rattling deliveries, clever slow balls, and sharp catches (including the one that ended Chase’s innings). Dropped chances and misfields gave WI some breathing room, but India’s death bowling held firm. Hardik Pandya’s effective spells also stood out in the highlights reel.
India’s Chase: Samson the Anchor, Tilak & Co. the Support Cast
Chasing 196 on a lively Eden Gardens pitch, India lost early momentum with Abhishek Sharma (10) and Ishan Kishan (10) falling quickly. At 41/2, the pressure was on.
Enter Sanju Samson. The Kerala star, often debated in selection circles, turned the match on its head with a breathtaking unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes, strike rate 194). He combined elegance and power — cutting, driving, flicking, and launching massive sixes — while rotating strike perfectly.
Key partnerships lit up the highlights:
- Samson and Suryakumar Yadav added crucial runs.
- A vital 42-run stand kept India in the hunt.
- Tilak Varma chipped in with a handy 27, smashing boundaries at the right moments.
- Hardik Pandya joined at a tense stage (55 needed off 32) and provided the finishing support before falling for a quick cameo.
The crowd erupted as Samson stayed not out, culminating in a six and a four in the final over to seal the deal. The Hindi highlights perfectly capture the roar of “Vande Mataram,” the laser lights, and the dugout celebrations as India completed their highest successful T20 World Cup chase and the joint-third highest in tournament history at Eden Gardens.
Samson: “One of the Greatest Days of My Life”
Named Player of the Match, Samson reflected emotionally:
“I never felt that I would do something special like this but I was just focusing on my role… Just keeping one ball at a time. I think this is one of the greatest days of my life.”
His knock broke records for the highest score by an Indian while chasing in a T20 World Cup and silenced critics who had questioned his big-stage temperament. Fans in the comments of the ICC video hailed him as the “man who took us to the semi-finals” and celebrated with puns like “Sanju SemiSon.”
Team India Huddle and Celebrations
The Men in Blue showed unity throughout, with the huddle moments and final-over frenzy bringing pure joy to the passionate Kolkata crowd.
What’s Next for India?
With this clinical victory, India tops their Super 8 group and marches into the semi-finals against England on Thursday. The defending champions remain unbeaten in their quest for back-to-back T20 World Cup glory.
The ICC Hindi Highlights video is a must-watch for every Indian cricket fan — it relives the pressure, the sixes, the wickets, and the sheer emotion of a night when Sanju Samson became a national hero.
Video Source: YouTube
Bleed Blue! 🇮🇳🔥
India are through. The semi-finals await. Can the Men in Blue go all the way in 2026?
