KOLKATA, March 1 – West Indies’ T20 World Cup campaign came to a heartbreaking end on Sunday after a thrilling five-wicket defeat to India in the Super-8 stage. Captain Shai Hope had high praise for India’s Sanju Samson, whose unbeaten 97 off just 50 balls – featuring 4 sixes and 12 fours – single-handedly steered the hosts to victory, snatching the game from the Caribbean side’s grasp.
Batting first, West Indies posted a formidable 195 for 4 in their 20 overs, setting what looked like a challenging target on a batting-friendly pitch. But India chased it down in only 19.2 overs, showcasing their chasing prowess at this venue.
Reflecting on the loss, Hope admitted, ‘We might have fallen short by a few runs, especially on a ground like this that’s great for chasing. We could have added more in the death overs. Sanju Samson played a truly outstanding innings – credit where it’s due. But a few extra runs would have made a big difference.’
India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was instrumental, claiming 2 for 36 in his 4 overs. He dismantled a crucial partnership by dismissing Shimron Hetmyer (27) and Roston Chase (40), turning the tide in India’s favor.
Hope pinpointed Bumrah’s over as the match’s turning point: ‘He’s their strike bowler. When the ball’s in his hands, something happens. That over broke the partnership, especially when Hetmyer was in top form throughout the tournament. It was a game-changer. Still, reaching around 190 gave us a fighting chance.’
The skipper lauded his bowlers’ efforts: ‘Our bowling has been solid throughout the tournament. We adapted to various conditions, especially in the powerplay. Akeal Hosein was brilliant, and Gudakesh Motie contributed well upon his return. We just couldn’t cross the finish line today.’
Looking ahead, Hope expressed disappointment at exiting early: ‘You never want to end your tournament at this stage. One more win, and we’d have been in the semis – anything possible from there. Full marks to the boys. We’ve set high standards. Now, we need to capitalize on key moments and play our best cricket on match days.’
India advances, while West Indies heads home with lessons learned from a valiant campaign.