Strongman Samson takes India past West Indies to set up England semi-final

Mumbai, Monday: Sanju Samson’s career-best Twenty20 international innings propelled India into the T20 World Cup semi-finals and extinguished West Indies’ campaign in a rousing quarter-final at a heaving stadium on Sunday night.

Recalled after India’s chastening Super 8s loss to South Africa, the 31-year-old wicket-keeper batsman produced a masterclass of controlled aggression, finishing 97 not out from 50 balls to steer the co-hosts to a five-wicket victory with four deliveries to spare in pursuit of 196.

Samson, dropped on 12, struck ten fours and four sixes, reaching his half-century off 29 balls and calmly collecting the winning boundary by lofting the 50th delivery he faced over mid-on to trigger delirious celebrations among the home crowd.

The result sets up a blockbuster last-four meeting with England in Mumbai on Thursday, reprising a fixture that has decided the eventual champion in each of the past two tournaments: England triumphed in Adelaide 2022 before India reversed the outcome in Guyana two years ago.

West Indies, asked to bat first, flirted with a 200-plus total when Roston Chase, promoted to open for the first time in T20Is, flayed 68 in 53 balls alongside Shai Hope and later saw Jason Holder and captain Rovman Powell plunder 76 from the final 35 deliveries. Yet Hope’s 32 off 33 slowed momentum and three spilled catches in the field proved costly as India kept the asking rate within reach.

Jasprit Bumrah’s double-wicket 17th over, accounting for both Hetmyer and Chase, applied the chokehold that ultimately restricted the Caribbean side to 195 for 6.

India’s chase wobbled early when both openers fell inside the powerplay, but Samson found an ally in Hardik Pandya, whose 28 off 16 steadied nerves before the finisher sealed the deal in the company of the lower order.

The victory ensures India remain on course for a first global T20 crown since the inaugural edition, while England must overcome the co-hosts in familiar knockout territory to keep their own defence alive.

The other semi-final on Wednesday pits New Zealand against South Africa, who topped their Super 8s group by beating Zimbabwe in Delhi and have never lost to the Black Caps in five previous T20 World Cup encounters.