Sanju Samson’s unbeaten 97 helped India secure a spot in the Men’s T20 World Cup semi-final with a five-wicket win over the West Indies at Eden Gardens. His impressive innings of 97 runs off 50 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, delighted the crowd of 67,000, as India chased down a challenging target of 196 with four balls to spare. The victory sets up a semi-final clash against England in Mumbai on Thursday.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Samson for his performance, highlighting his ability to deliver when the team needed him the most. Gambhir commended Samson’s shot timing and control throughout the innings, emphasizing his talent as a world-class player. Despite a tough series against New Zealand, Gambhir expressed confidence in Samson’s ability to deliver in crucial moments.
Reflecting on the match, Gambhir also credited India’s strong start in the power-play, where they conceded only 45 runs without losing wickets. He specifically mentioned the contributions of Arshdeep, Hardik, and Axar in containing the opposition during the crucial phase of the game. Gambhir emphasized the importance of team contributions, citing Shivam Dube’s quick eight runs off four balls as a crucial moment that eased pressure during the chase.
Gambhir stressed the significance of both big and small contributions in a team sport, noting that every player’s effort plays a vital role in achieving success. He highlighted the team’s collective effort in securing the win and emphasized the philosophy of teamwork and shared responsibility within the squad.
