In a metropolis suffused with outdated heat, India, guided by Sanju Samson, dished out a efficiency for the ages. Sunday’s five-wicket triumph towards the West Indies on the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was a hard-fought one.
Samson’s unbeaten 97 appeared unhurried, however beneath that optical phantasm, there was a way of urgency too. Samson picked his singles, largely hit alongside the bottom, and at all times discovered a 4 to ease the strain.
Sanju Samson’s match-winning knock of 97 not out appeared unhurried, however beneath that optical phantasm, there was a way of urgency too.
| Photograph Credit score:
Ok R DEEPAK
Sanju Samson’s match-winning knock of 97 not out appeared unhurried, however beneath that optical phantasm, there was a way of urgency too.
| Photograph Credit score:
Ok R DEEPAK
Having succumbed to the pull typically, Samson centered straight down the bottom. Nevertheless, he was not averse to liberating his arms to flick a six over square-leg, or rock again to information and reduce previous the off-side cordon. He picked the gaps, and whereas his companions departed, Samson remained unhindered, and his match-winning effort sealed India’s semifinal berth.
A goal of 196 in a digital knockout sport comes infused with excessive strain. Ideally, it calls for one batter to be the anchor, and he, together with the remaining are supposed to attain at round 10 per over. Samson delivered, and some others contributed as effectively.
Amongst his companions, Tilak Varma sparkled, whereas Shivam Dube hit two important fours within the penultimate over. In an encounter spilling into the final over, Dube had set the bottom for Samson to lend his completion, which he did with a six and a 4.
At varied factors, Suryakumar Yadav’s males discovered methods to remain alive. Jasprit Bumrah’s two wickets whereas the West Indies batted, and Samson’s effort, allied with some cameos, meant that the defending champion was at all times within the race. It’s a indisputable fact that coach Gautam Gambhir harassed too.
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After the loss to South Africa, the victories towards Zimbabwe and the West Indies have energised the Indian outfit. However there may be by no means an ideal unit, and India has its minor chinks. Whereas bowling, extras are being conceded, and in video games of slender margins, this might show deadly. Towards the West Indies, 10 wides had been bowled.
Catches have been shelled; for example, Abhishek Sharma dropped two towards the West Indies. Underneath lights, a miscued shot crusing excessive after which descending will be unsettling. The world is watching, the ball appears to hold within the air for eternity, and the strain is actual. However fielders need to discover a method.
These blips should be ironed out earlier than Thursday’s semifinal towards England at Mumbai. For now, the drive is with India.
Printed on Mar 02, 2026