Sanju Samson (Pic credit: BCCI)

NEW DELHI: Speculation surfaced on social media after India’s win over West Indies that Sanju Samson could face disciplinary action — or even a ban — for his emotional on-field celebration in Kolkata. The rumours claimed that the Indian batter might miss the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against England on Thursday because he dropped his helmet to the ground after hitting the match-winning boundary.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The moment came at the end of a tense chase when Samson sealed India’s victory with a boundary. As the ball raced away, the right-handed batter removed his helmet and dropped it onto the ground before falling to his knees and offering a prayer. The emotional celebration quickly went viral, with some observers suggesting the act might fall under the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct related to equipment abuse.

A closer look at the rules suggests that the fears of a suspension are largely misplaced. Under Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players can be penalised for “abuse of cricket equipment,” which includes actions such as throwing or striking items like helmets, bats, or stumps in frustration. The rule also covers deliberate damage to advertising boards, boundary fences, or dressing room fixtures.Even if Samson’s act were to be reviewed under this provision, it would most likely fall under a Level 1 offence — the lowest category of disciplinary breaches. Level 1 incidents typically attract fines or demerit points rather than suspensions.Former international umpire Anil Chaudhary also dismissed the speculation, explaining that Samson’s gesture appeared to be an emotional celebration rather than an act of anger or protest. According to him, such moments are common in high-pressure matches and are rarely treated as serious offences.Recent examples support this interpretation. Scotland’s George Munsey received only one demerit point earlier in the tournament after throwing his helmet in frustration following his dismissal.As things stand, there has been no official charge or complaint against Samson from match officials. India are scheduled to face England in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5, and the wicketkeeper-batter remains fully eligible to play.

Sanju Samson of India (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

India opener Sanju Samson has thrust himself into the centre of attention after a match-winning, unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in a virtual knockout clash. The calmness he exhibited in a tense chase turned the game on its head and handed India crucial momentum ahead of the semifinal against England.The innings also represents a dramatic turnaround in Samson’s tournament. Having started on the bench after losing his spot in the playing XI, he made full use of the opportunity when recalled for the Windies encounter. Under immense pressure in a chase exceeding 190, the right-hander silenced detractors with a composed and authoritative display that could prove pivotal to India’s campaign.Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis offered a detailed tactical view of Samson’s game, identifying a potential chink in his armour. While acknowledging Samson’s strength through the mid-wicket region, Du Plessis suggested that high pace, particularly well-directed short balls above 140 kmph, can trouble him.“That’s always been the one area where you feel, with Sanju, you can attack him (with short ball), and it’s with high pace. He’s very strong in the tummy area, where that backswing is just beautiful. But 140-plus, if you get it nice and high, you feel like there’s a little window where you can attack him. It’s a weakness. So there’s the evidence in England, so they’ll have the blueprint,” Du Plessis said on ESPNCricinfo.Recent matches have followed a similar script for Samson, with quality short-pitched bowling testing him. The trend resurfaced in the Super 8 fixture against Zimbabwe, where Blessing Muzarabani removed him early by exploiting that very vulnerability.Expanding on his analysis, Du Plessis emphasised that Samson must now prepare for a barrage of short deliveries, especially against express quicks like Jofra Archer.“Sanju will know what’s coming, so for him now it’s – how do I counter it? What am I going to do when Archer comes short at me? Am I attacking it or are there other bowlers, where I can just play them a little bit better?” the former Proteas skipper added.

NEW DELHI: When Sanju Samson stood tall after his match-winning 97 against the West Indies, it was more than just a comeback knock — it was the fulfilment of a promise made at the very start of the T20 World Cup.Despite being India’s first-choice T20I opener for over a year, Samson found himself out of the playing XI for the tournament opener against the United States of America (USA) at the Wankhede Stadium. Ishan Kishan’s strong form meant Samson had to wait.

What followed is now going viral.Ahead of that opening game, Rohit Sharma walked up to Samson, put an arm around him, and offered words that would define the rest of his tournament.“Kaisa hai? Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai (“How are you? Don’t be disheartened. It is a long tournament. The opportunity can come at any moment),” Rohit had said to Samson, as revealed in a video posted by the official Instagram account of the International Cricket Council (ICC).At that moment, Samson was on the sidelines. But Rohit’s reassurance proved prophetic.After India’s defeat to South Africa opened the door for changes, Samson returned. He first made an impact with a fiery cameo against Zimbabwe before scripting something far bigger — an unbeaten 97 under pressure to anchor a daunting 196-run chase against the West Indies, sealing India’s highest-successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.His journey to that moment had been anything but smooth.Earlier in the season, being pushed down the order during the Asia Cup disrupted his rhythm. Then came a difficult New Zealand series where scores of 10, 6, 0, 24 and 6 led to criticism and doubts.But Samson never stopped observing, learning and believing.After his masterclass against the West Indies, he acknowledged the influence of Rohit and Virat Kohli.“Playing IPL for around 10 to 12 years and being with the Indian team for the last 10 years… I have not always been playing, but I was looking from the dugout, learning from greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. It was very important to observe, learn, and see what they were doing,” Samson said.From being dropped to delivering one of the most memorable knocks in India’s T20 World Cup campaign, Samson’s resurgence now carries the imprint of Rohit’s hug and those four simple words — “Dukhi mat ho bhai.”With a five-wicket win over the West Indies, India marched into the semifinals and will now face England at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday — the same ground where Samson had once watched from the sidelines, waiting for his moment.

Sanju Samson (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Perpetually under scrutiny, Sanju Samson rose above the noise with a match-winning 97 not out as India defeated West Indies by five wickets in their T20 World Cup Super Eights clash to storm into the semifinals on Sunday.But beyond the runs and the result, it was a captain’s bow that defined the night at Eden Gardens.

India will now face England in the semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 5.As the winning boundary was struck and the noise reached fever pitch, Samson began his walk back to the pavilion. That’s when India skipper Suryakumar Yadav did something few captains do.Surya walked down from his position, removed his cap and bowed to Sanju in the middle of the ground before embracing him tightly. It was spontaneous, heartfelt and symbolic — a public acknowledgement of belief repaid.The packed Eden Gardens, with over 65,000 spectators, erupted. Teammates applauded. Fans roared. It was more than celebration; it was respect.Asked to bat first, West Indies followed a clear attacking blueprint. Roston Chase laid the foundation before Rovman Powell (34* off 19 balls) and Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls) launched a late assault to power them to 195/4.Chasing 196 in a virtual knockout, India needed composure. Instead, they lost early momentum as in-form batters faltered under pressure.That’s when Sanju stood tall.Playing only his third match of the tournament, the wicketkeeper-batter produced an innings of poise and authority — 97* off 50 balls, laced with 12 fours and four sixes. He batted deep, absorbed the pressure and ensured India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs, sealing victory with four balls to spare.In the 19th over, with tension peaking, Sanju brought the scores level by heaving Romario Shepherd’s attempted yorker high over square leg for a towering six — a statement blow under pressure.Moments later, he carved the winning boundary over a leaping mid-on to book India’s semifinal berth and end West Indies’ campaign at the very venue where they had lifted their second and last T20 World Cup title in 2016.As “Maa Tujhe Salaam” echoed through Eden Gardens, Sanju dropped to his knees, removed his helmet and offered a quiet prayer — a moment of relief, gratitude and redemption. The BCCI top brass stood up in applause.And just behind that image stood Surya’s bow — a captain recognising a warrior who had delivered when it mattered most.On a night of pressure and expectation, it wasn’t just about a 97*. It was about faith, redemption and a skipper who wasn’t afraid to bow down to brilliance.

Sourav Ganguly (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Former India captain and current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly described Sanju Samson’s match-winning 97* as “outstanding” and termed him a “very good player” after the wicketkeeper-batter powered India into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026 with a crucial win over West Indies in a must-win Super 8 clash.Samson smashed an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls as India chased down a stiff 196-run target to secure a five-wicket victory in the do-or-die encounter, guiding Suryakumar Yadav’s men into the last four.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Ganguly heaped praise on Samson and underlined that the Kerala batter deserves consistent opportunities in India’s white-ball setup.“Outstanding. He’s a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball,” Ganguly said.With both India and West Indies tied on points in the Super 8 standings, the Kolkata fixture effectively turned into a knockout, with the winner advancing to join South Africa, New Zealand and England in the semifinals. India’s victory set up a last-four clash against England on March 5.Ganguly termed the India-West Indies encounter a virtual quarterfinal and lauded Samson’s composure, stressing how dangerous he can be once he settles in.“You know, when he gets in, he’ll hurt the opposition. He played to the situation which is important,” Ganguly added.Looking ahead to the semifinal against England, the former India skipper noted that the Three Lions would pose a tougher challenge than West Indies.In the match itself, India won the toss and opted to field. West Indies openers Roston Chase (40 off 25 balls, five fours and a six) and captain Shai Hope (32 off 33 balls, three fours and a six) added 68 for the first wicket. However, despite a quickfire cameo from Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 12 balls, one four and two sixes), the hosts slipped to 119/4 in 14.1 overs.A late onslaught from Jason Holder (37* off 22 balls, two fours and three sixes) and Rovman Powell (34* off 19 balls, three fours and two sixes) saw the duo stitch together a 76-run stand in just 35 balls, lifting West Indies to 195/4 in their 20 overs.Jasprit Bumrah (2/36 in four overs) was India’s standout bowler, while Varun Chakaravarthy and Hardik Pandya claimed one wicket each, conceding 40 runs apiece in their four-over spells.In reply, India were rocked early, reduced to 41/2 inside the powerplay. A 58-run partnership between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18) steadied the innings and revived the chase. Samson then combined effectively with Tilak Varma (27 off 15 balls, four boundaries and a six), Hardik Pandya (17) and Shivam Dube (8*) to guide India home with five wickets in hand, sealing a memorable win and a semifinal berth.

Taking responsibility for the West Indies’ elimination from the T20 World Cup, skipper Shai Hope said he should have batted faster at the top to post a more challenging target for India in their must-win Super Eight game here.

Defending champions India chased down a fairly stiff 196-run target to knock the former winners out of the tournament at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

The visitors appeared at least 20 runs short as Hope ate up 33 balls for his 32, striking at just over 96, including 17 dot balls that probably cost them heavily in a high-scoring contest.

“Yes, I’ll take the blame. I should have batted a lot faster — if that’s what you want me to say,” said Hope in the post-match media interaction without dodging any tough question, here on Sunday.

“When you’re leading, you want to put your hand up and set the tone at the top. It didn’t happen for me today. I just didn’t get going today,” he conceded.

“But in situations like this, when you’re struggling, everyone struggles. But I don’t think I was batting badly.”

India had the perfect plan to tighten the marauding Windies after Suryakumar Yadav opted to bowl. He went in with Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel in the powerplay and they did their job, keeping Hope quiet early.

It was then that mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, held back deliberately for the middle phase, bowled him with a delivery that skidded through to rattle the stumps.

Though opener Roston Chase’s acceleration and the late flourish from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder lifted West Indies to 195/4, the total felt under-par on a good Eden surface with dew aiding the chase.

Hope, however, said the shortfall of runs was not for lack of intent.

“It was a bit of both. I hit a few fielders and they bowled well. As much as you’d love to hit every ball for six, it doesn’t happen. It’s just that I was hitting the fielders and then trying to play the situation a bit more.

“Obviously, I wanted to bat a little bit deeper into the innings and face most of the spin threat in the middle,” he explained.

Hope further admitted that the powerplay phase could have been better utilised by his team.

“We wanted 65-70 in the powerplay. We were 45 without loss, so we had a platform. With the batting depth we have, I didn’t see it as a big issue at the time, but we didn’t execute as well as we wanted.”

Fine margins

Calling it a fine-margin contest, he said: “It’s always a game of small margins. There are so many moments you can look back at and say maybe we should have done a little more or a little less of something else. But one team has to win.”

He further said the conditions aided the chasing side and rued lost toss.

“Here in Eden Gardens, chasing is usually better, especially with the dew. It always becomes a factor. I don’t think I could win a toss, so I’m always giving the guys the hard way out of it.

“I don’t think – I won a toss this tournament? One? Okay. Probably before that, the rest of the series, maybe one or two. Yeah, so that always putting me on the back foot.” However, looking at the broader picture, Hope chose to focus on the campaign’s positives.

“There are a lot of positives. Our bowling was much better than in previous series. The powerplay bowling especially stood up,” he noted.

Sanju deserves A+

Hope was effusive in praising India’s match-winner Sanju, whose unbeaten 97 anchored the home team’s chase. Having faced criticism and frequent exclusion in recent past, Sanju made the opportunity count in the biggest game.

A natural opener, he was not the first choice of the side at the start of the tournament after Ishan Kishan’s blazing return. Ishan was the preferred one with Abhishek Sharma in the opening position.

But following India’s batting meltdown against South Africa, the management had to fall back on his experience at the top.

He repaid that faith with a blazing start against Zimbabwe and then produced the innings of his life at the Eden.

“He shot the ball very nicely from the beginning all the way through to the end of the innings and he’s paced it really nicely. He was very smart and calculated with the way he went about his strokes.

“You must give him an A-plus with the way he played today. But we wish he didn’t have that innings today,” Hope said.

Published – March 02, 2026 12:46 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir delivered a stirring endorsement of Sanju Samson after the batter’s unbeaten 97 powered India into the T20 World Cup semifinals, calling the knock a glimpse of the “true potential” the team always believed in.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Samson’s majestic 97* at the iconic Eden Gardens guided India to a five-wicket win over West Indies in a high-pressure Super Eight clash, keeping alive their dream of retaining the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title at home.“Sanju is a world-class player, we all know how good a player he is. And it was all about backing him. And then when the team needed him the most, obviously today was a day where he probably showed his true potential, and hopefully, this is a time for him to kick off and probably two more games to go,” Gambhir told reporters after the match.

Under scrutiny following a lean run and a difficult series against New Zealand before the tournament, Samson responded in the most emphatic fashion. Chasing 196, India were wobbling early before the right-hander anchored the innings with calm authority, carrying his bat through the chase.Gambhir was particularly impressed by the manner of the innings.“Look, I actually thought that he never accelerated the innings. It was just a very, very normal cricketing shot, and I never saw any muscling the ball as well, and that is the kind of talent he has. When you know that you’re in control of the game and you know that you’re feeling good, he’s hitting the ball really well in the nets and it’s about going in the middle and showcasing that skill that you had,” he said.Highlighting Samson’s composure on a good batting surface with a quick outfield, Gambhir reiterated his long-standing faith. “I have always said that he is a world-class player, he is a great talent and hopefully he can kick off now and hopefully we can see a lot more innings like this from Sanju.”He also brushed aside criticism centred on past scores. “People will keep looking at his scores and stuff, but then coming back into the team and then playing that kind of innings… it must have given him a lot of confidence. Because obviously, the guy had a tough series against New Zealand. But we always knew the kind of potential he had.”

Sanju Samson and skipper Suryakumar Yadav run between wickets. (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A night of reckoning at the Eden Gardens turned into a night of redemption for Sanju Samson, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav could not have scripted it better.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!With India’s T20 World Cup Super Eight campaign hanging by a thread, Samson smashed an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls to power India to a five-wicket win over West Indies, sealing a semifinal berth. Under scrutiny after a lean run, Samson answered every question in style — and his captain made sure the world knew it.

“Obviously, it’s a great feeling. The way we played, it was a do-or-die, like a quarter-final game, and the way the boys showed character, I think it was a great thing,” Suryakumar said after the match.But it was his heartfelt words on Samson that stole the spotlight.“See, I always say, good things happen to good people who wait, who have a lot of patience. I said it just now as well when I met him. But then it’s all his hard work, what he’s been doing behind the doors when he was not playing, and he’s got the fruit of it at the perfect stage. And the way he batted, took the side completely to victory.”Chasing 196 after West Indies posted 195/4 — powered by late fireworks from Jason Holder and Rovman Powell — India stumbled early to 41/2 in the powerplay. But Samson stood tall, blending timing with audacity. Small partnerships, especially a crucial 42-run stand with Tilak Varma (27 off 15), kept the chase alive.Suryakumar revealed the clarity in the dressing room. “I feel everyone bowled according to plans. We knew 200 is always a good score to chase here with the dew and the ball coming on nicely. And the way the batters responded later on with small partnerships, that was the key.”The skipper also addressed the mounting pressure. “Expectations will always be there, but you should always know what you have to do on the field. I told the boys that there will be pressure… but in games like this, you have to be courageous and take positive options whenever under pressure. When there’s no pressure, there is no fun.”Samson’s 97* is now India’s second-highest individual score in T20 World Cups, behind only Suresh Raina’s 101, and marks the first time he has remained unbeaten in a T20I chase.“Very happy to be there,” Surya smiled about the semifinals. “The way we played in the first game, we deserve that spot.”India next face England in the semi-final at Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

KOLKATA: It’s a straightforward knockout contest now and number crunching over net run-rate is no longer required. India just have to beat West Indies at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday to make the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. The West Indies are in the same position but punters would advise you to put your money on India. Yet, fingers will remain crossed.The statisticians might still be called upon for calculations in the unlikely scenario of Zimbabwe beating South Africa, but that will only be to decide the group toppers. South Africa are well ahead in that race too. India’s blip against South Africa was a timely reminder that Suryakumar Yadav and his men have to be on their toes all the time. South Africa in fact, also showed that the West Indies, in spite of their recent successes, continue to have a streak of inconsistency that makes them so unpredictable. This Caribbean tendency will also keep India on the alert. One false step can make a huge difference.

Abhishek Sharma’s return to form against Zimbabwe was good news for India, even though the opener wasn’t as free flowing as he normally is. The occasional caution during his half-century indicated that doubts might have crept into his mind following a string of poor scores. Even Tilak Varma would have overcome some uncertainties during his 16-ball 44 against the same opponents. Both will be aware that the West Indies will pose stiffer challenges.

Given Varma’s struggles against spin, facing the likes of Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein can be tricky. India might continue with the leftright opening combination of Abhishek and Sanju Samson, even though the latter didn’t really utilise the opportunity against Zimbabwe to the full. This combination does help in throwing the rival bowlers off their line.Talking about bowlers, Jaspreet Bumrah will once again be the pacer to watch. As soon as he steps on the Eden turf, he will be reminded of his 5 for 27 in the South Africa Test here last Oct. Despite the dryness of the pitch, Bumrah’s spell could well be a deciding factor. Bumrah has been very economical in the tournament so far, giving away just 90 runs in five matches. His accuracy has been one of India’s biggest advantages.

Of course, the West Indies have batters who can prove to be troublesome for India. Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford would need a little time to settle and can turn out to be threats. Skipper Hope is quite uncharacteristic as a Caribbean batter. His shots are much more orthodox and his aggression is calculated. He is capable of molding his innings as per the situation, a quality that might be required at the Eden.They also have a long batting lineup, with Jason Holder and Romero Shephard producing brilliant innings against South Africa coming at No. 7 and 9. The West Indies are a cohesive lot this time around and their players have iterated they are enjoying the dressing room atmosphere. They have played two matches here during the tournament.

Arshdeep Singh (Getty Images)

CHENNAI: There is an infectious aura around Arshdeep Singh. The left-arm pacer can be cut-throat with his yorkers and swing on the field, but off it, he is a ball of energy.Here in Chepauk on Thursday night, Arshdeep was in ominous touch, swinging the ball both ways and keeping Zimbabwe’s batters on a tight leash. He picked up three wickets and went past Jasprit Bumrah to become India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history with 35 scalps. And after helping India drub Zimbabwe, Arshdeep showed a different shade of himself from his menacing on-field persona at the media zone. Most of his replies were full of beans.

One such reply came when he was asked about South Africa’s win over West Indies earlier in the day, which had already eased India’s path. Grinning, he offered a playful “thank you” to the Proteas and even shared how the tension had played out back in the hotel room.“We weren’t glued to the match but kept checking the scores here and there. My family was in the hotel room and when the West Indies batters were hitting, my dad was cursing them. I said, ‘Don’t get angry, just enjoy the match, and hope that South Africa win’. They (SA) played very well, thank you to them for giving us the chance to decide our result in the next match. It was fun to watch, and we’ll try to beat them in the final,” Arshdeep said.India’s next fixture against the West Indies at the Eden Gardens will be a virtual quarterfinal, and Arshdeep knows it won’t be a straightforward affair. The Caribbean side’s power-hitters can change the script in the blink of an eye and he was quick to point out that they are not merely one-dimensional. Windies, after all, clawed their way to a competitive total despite being down to 83-7 against South Africa on Thursday.

“It’s not like they have only one gear. If you look at their game against SA, they played really nicely in the middle as well. They took the game deep and then made around 180 runs. So I guess they can also adapt according to the situation. Looking forward to the game, we’ll see how the pitch plays and what the conditions are like. The focus right now is on recovery, and we’ll assess things on game day,” said Arshdeep.One thing Arshdeep will be focused on against West Indies come Sunday is, in his own words, “trying to control the chull (urge) of bowling bad balls (laughs)”. And he went on to add that he and his fellow bowlers are happy to do the “dirty job” on batting-friendly surfaces.“As long as our batters are having fun batting on these surfaces, we’re more than happy to do the dirty job. We don’t mind being hit for runs. Our game plan has been to score big and then try to defend it,” said the 27-year-old.