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.

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.