In one of the most gripping encounters of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the india national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard tells a story of individual brilliance under extreme pressure. Played on March 1, 2026, at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India chased down 196 with five wickets and four balls to spare completing their highest-ever successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.
The hero of this virtual quarter-final was Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls featuring 12 fours and four sixes powered the defending champions into the semi-finals. Despite early wobbles, losing Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan inside the powerplay, Samson batted with composure and controlled aggression to script a fairy-tale finish. For West Indies, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell’s late fireworks had given them a fighting 195/4, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Match Summary Table
| Team | Runs | Wickets | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | 195 | 4 | 20.0 | Lost by 5 wickets |
| India | 199 | 5 | 19.2 | Won by 5 wickets |
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Date: March 1, 2026 | Format: T20 Super 8, Group 1 | Toss: India won, elected to field
West Indies put up a competitive total, courtesy of aggressive batting in the last five overs. India’s chase was nervy in the middle but Samson’s anchor role made all the difference. The india national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard ultimately reflected a match where the innings-defining individual performance separated the two sides.
Batting Highlights — West Indies Innings (195/4 in 20 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope (c & wk) | 32 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 96.97 |
| Roston Chase | 40 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 160.00 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 27 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 225.00 |
| Sherfane Rutherford | 14 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 140.00 |
| Rovman Powell* | 34 | 19 | 1 | 3 | 178.95 |
| Jason Holder* | 37 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 168.18 |
*Denotes not out
Shai Hope’s 33-ball 32 proved too slow for West Indies’ needs in this do-or-die clash, with the captain unable to convert his start into a decisive knock. Roston Chase, surprisingly promoted to open for the first time in international cricket, played a refreshing cameo at the top. The real damage came in the death overs: the Powell-Holder unbeaten partnership of 76 off just 35 balls utterly transformed the innings from a middling 125/4 in 15 overs to a formidable 195. Hetmyer’s explosive 27 off 12 also injected crucial momentum before Bumrah dismissed him.
Batting Highlights — India Innings (199/5 in 19.2 overs)
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson (wk)* | 97 | 50 | 12 | 4 | 194.00 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 109.09 |
| Ishan Kishan | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 114.29 |
| Suryakumar Yadav (c) | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 112.50 |
| Tilak Varma | 27 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 180.00 |
| Hardik Pandya | 17 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 121.43 |
| Shivam Dube* | 8 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 200.00 |
*Denotes not out
Samson’s innings was arguably the greatest chasing knock by an Indian in T20 World Cup history. He broke Virat Kohli’s record for the highest individual score by an Indian in a T20 WC run-chase (previous: 82), while also surpassing Tim Seifert’s record for the highest by a wicketkeeper batter in a World Cup chase. India lost two early wickets but Samson steadied the ship brilliantly, reaching his first T20 World Cup half-century in just 26 balls. Tilak Varma’s brisk 27 off 15 and Hardik Pandya’s steadying presence helped India navigate the tense final stretch.
Bowling Figures — West Indies Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Holder | 4 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 |
| Shamar Joseph | 4 | 42 | 2 | 10.50 |
| Akeal Hosein | 4 | 36 | 0 | 9.00 |
| Gudakesh Motie | 4 | 39 | 0 | 9.75 |
| Romario Shepherd | 2 | 22 | 0 | 11.00 |
| Matthew Forde | 1 | 17 | 1 | 17.00 |
Holder was West Indies’ standout bowler, dismissing both Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya at crucial junctures. Shamar Joseph troubled the middle order, but Samson found the gaps consistently against both. The spin duo of Hosein and Motie was unable to prise out Samson’s wicket, with the Kerala batter reading their variations well. The absence of variety no express pace or genuine mystery spin — left West Indies without a trump card to stop the in-form Samson.
Bowling Figures — India Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 36 | 2 | 9.00 |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 43 | 0 | 10.75 |
| Axar Patel | 4 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Varun Chakravarthy | 4 | 40 | 1 | 10.00 |
| Hardik Pandya | 2 | 28 | 0 | 14.00 |
| Shivam Dube | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 |
| Washington Sundar | 1 | 9 | 1 | 9.00 |
Jasprit Bumrah was the architect of India’s bowling effort, dismissing the dangerous Hetmyer and the settled Roston Chase in quick succession in the 12th over to bring West Indies back from 102/2 to 103/3. Axar Patel was the standout in the powerplay and middle overs, completely shackling Shai Hope (who scored only 15 runs off his four-over spell). Varun Chakravarthy picked up the crucial wicket of Hope and, while his economy was not his best, he broke the dangerous opening partnership.
Key Moments & Tactical Analysis
Toss Impact: India skipper Suryakumar Yadav elected to bowl first on a dry Eden Gardens pitch a decision that proved strategically correct. Setting a target forced West Indies to play their natural aggressive game while giving India a clear number to chase.
Powerplay Momentum: West Indies’ powerplay of 45/0 off six overs was solid but below their best a credit to Axar Patel’s tight lines, which strangled Shai Hope. India’s powerplay of 53/2 was more frantic but Samson’s presence at the crease gave the innings stability.
Turning Point: Bumrah’s double-wicket 12th over was the match’s defining moment with the ball removing Hetmyer (27) and Chase (40) in consecutive overs reduced West Indies from 68/0 to 103/3. In the chase, Samson’s 53-run stand with SKY and subsequent partnerships maintained control throughout.
Captaincy Decisions: SKY’s decision to back-load Bumrah and Varun for the explosive West Indies middle-order was tactically astute. Axar Patel bowling four consistent overs against Hope was a chess move that paid off handsomely. West Indies’ decision to promote Chase as opener was an inspired tactical tweak, though it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Pitch & Dew Factor: The Eden Gardens surface played true, with some dew expected in the second innings a factor that aided India’s batting. The dry pitch in the first innings gave the spinners some grip, helping Axar and Varun keep the West Indies middle-order in check.
Key Stats Comparison Table
| Metric | India | West Indies |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 199/5 (19.2 ov) | 195/4 (20 ov) |
| Run Rate | 10.29 | 9.75 |
| Extras | 11 | 9 |
| Boundaries (4s) | 28 | 12 |
| Sixes (6s) | 7 | 11 |
| Powerplay Score | 53/2 | 45/0 |
| Death Overs (16–20) | 61/2 | 70/2 |
| Player of the Match | Sanju Samson (97*) | — |
India’s superior boundary count through fours reflects Samson’s calculated shot-making, while West Indies’ 11 sixes highlight the power in their lower order. India’s death batting (61 runs in last 5 overs while 2 down) was the decisive factor in pulling off this stiff chase. The run rates tell a close story, but India’s aggressive and composed batting particularly at the top made all the difference in this high-stakes india national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard.
Head-to-Head Analysis & Historical Rivalry
India vs West Indies in T20 World Cups — Head to Head
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total T20 WC Meetings | 7 |
| India Wins | 4 |
| West Indies Wins | 3 |
| Most Recent Result | India won by 5 wickets (March 1, 2026) |
| Highest Team Total (IND) | 199/5 (2026, Kolkata) |
| Highest Team Total (WI) | 245/6 (2016, Mumbai) |
| Most Runs (IND) | Virat Kohli |
| Most Runs (WI) | Chris Gayle |
| Most Wickets (IND) | Jasprit Bumrah |
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article, including the India National Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team match scorecard, stats, and player data, is sourced from publicly available cricket platforms for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Historical Rivalry — The Epic Clashes
The India vs West Indies rivalry in T20 cricket has been defined by moments of high drama. Their most iconic meeting remains the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, where West Indies needing 19 off the final over produced one of the greatest comebacks in cricket history. Carlos Brathwaite’s four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes remain etched in memory, but Dwayne Bravo’s four sixes off Ashish Nehra’s over to first beat India 196/3 to 193/9 that contest has a special place in T20 folklore.
The 2014 T20 World Cup final in Dhaka was another landmark, with West Indies falling 7 runs short as India, led by Virat Kohli’s stunning 77*, lifted the trophy for the second time.
Fast forward to 2024, when India crushed West Indies in the Group Stage at the Providence Stadium, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli putting on a masterclass display. The West Indies have always had the firepower to threaten India, but India’s bowling depth especially in the hands of Bumrah and spinners has tilted the balance in recent years.
This 2026 Super 8 encounter continued that theme West Indies pushed India hard with their aggressive batting, but Sanju Samson’s cool head under the Kolkata lights proved decisive. The rivalry continues to produce memorable moments, and both teams will be eyeing T20 World Cup glory in the years to come.
Read Also: Pakistan National Cricket Team Vs West Indies Cricket Team Match Scorecard – Stunning 202-Run Win
Conclusion
This match was more than just a Super 8 fixture it was a virtual knockout that determined the fate of both teams. India’s five-wicket win confirmed their place in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals as Group 1’s second-placed team behind South Africa. West Indies, despite a valiant campaign, bowed out without a semi-final appearance for the 10th consecutive year since their 2016 triumph.
India next face England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 5 a familiar rivalry that has produced two previous World Cup semi-final meetings (2022 and 2024). The india national cricket team vs west indies cricket team match scorecard from this clash will be remembered for Samson’s redemption arc, a moment that cricket fans will speak of for years. The defending champions are very much alive in their dream of lifting the trophy on home soil.
❓ FAQs
What was the final score?
West Indies 195/4 (20 overs); India 199/5 (19.2 overs). India won by 5 wickets.
Who was Player of the Match?
Sanju Samson (India) for his unbeaten 97 off 50 balls.
Who scored the most runs?
Sanju Samson (India) 97* off 50 balls (12 fours, 4 sixes, SR: 194.00).
Who took the most wickets?
Jasprit Bumrah (India) 2/36; Jason Holder (West Indies) 2/38; Shamar Joseph (West Indies) 2/42.
What was the turning point?
Jasprit Bumrah’s 12th over dismissing both Shimron Hetmyer and Roston Chase in the same over to reduce West Indies to 103/3. In the chase, Samson and Tilak Varma’s partnership steadied India after a shaky powerplay.
