India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Bikas Das)India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Bikas Das)India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Bikas Das)India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Bikas Das)India’s Sanju Samson (AP Photo/Bikas Das) Sanju Samson made T20 World Cup history on Sunday night with a breathtaking unbeaten 97, which now stands as the highest run score by an Indian in the tournament. This surpassed Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 82 against Australia in Mohali in 2016 and Pakistan in Melbourne in 2022. On a roaring evening at the Eden Gardens, with 67,000 fans rooting for India to progress, Samson came through when it mattered most. His 50-ball knock, studded with 12 fours and four sixes, led India to their most successful run in T20 World Cup history as they chased down 196 to knock out the West Indies and book a semi-final against England. It was a shift built on poise and courage. India were 41 for 2 when Samson took the lead, first combining for a 58-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav and then keeping the chase on track even as wickets fell around him. With 55 still needed after Tilak Varma’s departure, Samson refused to panic. He stood firm till the end and ensured that India crossed the line with four balls to spare. The knock now ranks among India’s best T20 World Cup efforts. Only Suresh Raina’s 101 against South Africa in 2010 has a higher total, while Rohit Sharma’s 92 against Australia in 2024 and Virat Kohli’s 89 not out against the West Indies in 2016 follow close behind. But this one was different. This was a chase. This was pressure. And this was Samson at his best, keeping India’s title defense alive with an innings that will be remembered for years.
