Sanju Samson’s stellar innings of 97 not out propelled India past the West Indies’ 196-run target in 19.2 overs, securing a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals. His match-winning performance also eclipsed Virat Kohli’s record for the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup chase, making Samson the new record-holder.
In a post-match message, India captain Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the significance of patience, saying, “Good things happen to those who wait,” as he praised Samson’s resilience and heroics.
Long heralded as a future star of Indian cricket, Samson has struggled with consistency over the years, often missing opportunities in major tournaments. Despite being part of the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, he did not feature in three group-stage matches before this crucial innings.
Samson’s unbeaten 97 came off just 50 balls, hitting 12 fours and four sixes, and proved decisive as India edged out West Indies by five wickets with four balls remaining. His performance also set a new record for India in T20 World Cups, surpassing Virat Kohli’s previous best of 82* (against Australia in 2016 and Pakistan in 2022).
Reflecting on his innings, Samson admitted that doubts occasionally crept into his mind. “There is always a question — what if not? So that kept playing in my mind,” he said. “But when that thought kept coming, I brought myself into the present moment, looked at the ball, and trusted myself to react accordingly. I think that really helped today.”
Drawing inspiration from cricketing legends, Samson credited observing players like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni for shaping his approach to chasing targets. “I’ve been playing this format for a long time, about 10 to 12 years in IPL and over 10 years in the national setup,” he explained. “I’ve learned a lot from watching greats finish games and adapt their approach to the situation.”
Samson described the moment as “one of the best days of my life,” noting that his 97* is now the second-highest individual score by an Indian in T20 World Cup history, after Suresh Raina’s 101 against South Africa in 2010.
