In a high-stakes Super 8 showdown at Eden Gardens, West Indies have handed India a steep 196-run chase to secure T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final qualification. Batting first after losing the toss, the Caribbean side lost just 4 wickets in 20 overs, powered by explosive knocks from Roston Chase and Rovman Powell.
The innings kicked off with promise as openers Shai Hope (32 off 33) and Roston Chase (40 off 25) piled on 68 runs in the powerplay phase. Hetmyer followed with a quick 27 off 12, but Rutherford’s 14 off 9 ended via Pandya’s breakthrough.
Enter the dynamite duo: Powell (34* off 19, SR 178) and Holder (37* off 22, with 2 fours and 3 sixes). Their 76-run stand in 35 balls turned the match on its head, pushing the total beyond 190.
Bumrah starred for India with 2/36, supported by Pandya and Chakaravarthy (1 each). India stuck with their winning combination: skipper Suryakumar Yadav, Samson behind stumps, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik, Tilak Varma, Dube, Axar, Arshdeep, Chakravarthy, and Bumrah.
West Indies shuffled one player, slotting Akeal Hosein for King, alongside Hope (c), Chase, Hetmyer, Powell, Rutherford, Shepherd, Holder, Forde, Motie, and Joseph.
This do-or-die encounter tests India’s chasing prowess under lights. West Indies’ momentum is massive, but India’s batting depth could flip the script. Stay tuned for what promises to be an edge-of-the-seat finish.