Team India captain Suryakumar Yadav made a special gesture after Sanju Samson played a match-winning innings against West Indies in the Super 8 match in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1. After the win, Suryakumar bowed to Samson, praising his brilliant innings in a high-pressure game.
Samson played a career-defining innings at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take India to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. Chasing the target of 196 runs, Samson scored unbeaten 97 runs with the help of 12 fours and four sixes in just 50 balls. India won against West Indies by five wickets with four balls to spare.
Suryakumar Yadav paid special tribute to Sanju Samson after his sensational innings.
Sanju Samson maintained patience in the last over and completed the chase in dramatic fashion. When seven runs were needed from six balls, the 31-year-old hit a six on the first ball of Romario Shepherd and then hit a four on the very next ball.
After hitting the winning four, Sanju Samson went down on his knees and celebrated before shaking hands with the West Indies players.
Indian players rushed to welcome him with hugs. Suryakumar Yadav took off his cap and saluted Samson, appreciating his match-winning innings. Teammates including Ishan Kishan and Tilak Verma joined in to celebrate a goal that will be remembered for years.
The world bends, we need someone who bends.
Today Sanju presented his performance regarding Sooraj’s insult in the press conference.
pic.twitter.com/LbWrhwn4pY– JP Yadav (@JANAKPRATAPAYAD3) 2 March 2026
Samson took India to the semi-finals after West Indies scored 195 runs.
Invited to bat first, West Indies openers Roston Chase and Shai Hope gave a solid start. Rovman Powell added 34 not out off 19 balls, while Jason Holder scored 37 not out off 22 balls, helping West Indies post a challenging score of 195 for 4.
In reply, India’s in-form batsmen struggled under pressure. However, Sanju Samson remained calm throughout the chase. He played his innings smartly, controlled the middle overs and batted with confidence to take India to 199 for 5 in 19.2 overs.
This was only Samson’s third appearance in the T20 World Cup in two editions. He missed the entirety of 2024 and played only one group-stage match this year when Abhishek Sharma was ruled out due to a stomach infection.
After India’s comeback from the loss to South Africa, Samson impressed with a cameo against Zimbabwe and then played a match-deciding innings against the West Indies. India will face England in the second semi-final of the World Cup on Thursday in Mumbai.
You are asking me to leave Abhishek? – Suryakumar Yadav responded to Sanju Samson’s question
Earlier, Suryakumar Yadav was asked about bringing Sanju Samson back into the playing eleven during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage. He questioned the idea of removing Abhishek Sharma or Tilak Verma to include Samson in the top order.
During the pre-match press conference, Suryakumar took a dig at Samson’s inclusion in the playing eleven. He smiled and repeated the question, “You are asking me to leave Abhishek?”
A few days ago, Surya Kumar Yadav had made fun of a journalist who questioned Sanju Samson’s absence.
Today Samson has single-handedly kept India in the game pic.twitter.com/reiNPk7JsK
– Parth MN (@parthpunter) 1 March 2026
When Samson was given a chance, he justified the faith shown by the team management by playing a match-winning innings under pressure. His performance not only settled the selection debate but also highlighted the depth that India possess.
Also read: Mohsin Naqvi leaves Babar Azam out, Pakistan’s stars broken due to heavy financial fine