India chased down a stiff target of 196 in 19.2 overs to defeat the West Indies at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday (March 1) and seal a place in the semifinals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
A sublime unbeaten 97 off 50 balls from Sanju Samson anchored the chase, while Jasprit Bumrah’s disciplined spell of 2/36 in four overs earlier restricted the Men in Maroon to 195/4 in their 20 overs.
Samson Shines in Must-Win Clash
India entered the contest knowing that only a win would see them leapfrog the West Indies in the Super 8s Group 1 points table and secure a semifinal berth. Samson rose to the occasion with a near-flawless knock, blending aggression with composure as India completed the chase with four balls to spare.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, India never lost momentum, thanks largely to Samson’s controlled yet attacking approach under pressure.
Semifinal: India vs England
With the win, India finished as the second-best team in Group 1 and will now face England in the second semifinal.
England topped Super 8s Group 2 after winning all three of their matches and will head into the knockout clash brimming with confidence. The semifinal between India and England will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday (March 5).
The fixture renews a recent World Cup rivalry between the two sides. In the 2024 edition, India defeated Jos Buttler’s England by 68 runs in the semifinal. However, in 2022, Rohit Sharma’s men endured a crushing 10-wicket defeat against the same opponents at the same stage.
Like India, England have also won six of their seven matches in the ongoing tournament, setting up what promises to be a high-intensity contest.
South Africa vs New Zealand in First Semifinal
The first semifinal will see South Africa take on New Zealand at Eden Gardens on Wednesday (March 4).
South Africa have already beaten the Black Caps once in this tournament — by seven wickets in Ahmedabad on February 14 — and will look to extend their perfect record. New Zealand, meanwhile, will aim to avenge that loss and reach a T20 World Cup final for the first time since 2021.
The Kiwis last featured in a T20 World Cup final in 2021 but were beaten by eight wickets by Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
As the tournament enters its decisive phase, the stage is set for two high-stakes semifinals that could redefine recent World Cup rivalries.
