Former India captain and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Sourav Ganguly, was full of praise for India's wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson’s match-winning effort in last match of the Super 8 stage in the on going T20 World Cup. Calling the innings “outstanding,” Ganguly described Samson as a “very good player” who delivered when it mattered the most. “This was a high-pressure game, and to play an innings like that speaks volumes about his temperament and ability,” Ganguly remarked, underlining the significance of the knock in a tournament where margins are razor-thin. Speaking to reporters, Ganguly praised Samson and noted that he is a very good player and that he should consistently be playing in the white-ball format for India.

In a night charged with pressure and expectation, Sanju Samson rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion, scripting one of the finest knocks of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 and powering India into the semi-finals. Chasing a daunting 196 in a must-win Super 8 clash against the West Indies, India found their hero in the elegant right-hander, who produced an unbeaten 97 off just 50 deliveries. Calm under fire and fearless in execution, Samson’s masterclass guided Suryakumar Yadav’s men to a memorable five-wicket victory.

Samson’s innings was a blend of classical timing and modern T20 audacity. He absorbed early pressure, stitched crucial partnerships, and then accelerated with calculated aggression — finding the boundary with precision while keeping the required rate under control. As wickets fell at the other end, he remained composed, steering the chase deep and finishing the job with authority.

The victory not only kept India’s title hopes alive but also reaffirmed Samson’s credentials as a dependable big-match player. With the semi-finals looming, his form adds a powerful dimension to India’s batting line-up. On a night where defeat meant elimination, Sanju Samson turned expectation into execution — and delivered an innings that may well be remembered as one of the defining performances of India’s World Cup campaign.

Notably, both India and West Indies, tied on points in the Super 8s points table, needed to win the Kolkata fixture in order to join South Africa, New Zealand and England in the T20 WC semifinals. With the win, India set up their semis clash with England on March 5.