The wait for another ICC trophy continues as the West Indies fell to India, officially crashing out of this year’s T20 World Cup in a virtual quarterfinal during the final Super 8 fixture. The game was played on March 1 at Eden Gardens in India in front of a sea of blue jerseys.
Sent in to bat by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Windies began the powerplay cautiously. Captain Shai Hope and makeshift opener Roston Chase put on 45 runs during this phase, eventually sharing a 68-run opening stand. After Hope’s dismissal, Chase—who had been dropped earlier—scored 41 before losing his wicket. A cameo from the in-form Shimron Hetmyer ended in a controversial caught-behind decision for 27 (12 balls).
The West Indian innings found much-needed momentum through a 76-run fifth-wicket partnership between Rovman Powell and Jason Holder, lifting the total to a competitive 195/4. Holder finished with a well-played 37 not out, while Powell contributed an unbeaten 34. In the process, the Jamaican power-hitter brought up his 150th T20 International six for the West Indies, the most by any player.
In reply, India started steadily, scoring at 8.83 runs per over in the powerplay. However, the West Indies balanced the contest by claiming the key wickets of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma during the fielding restrictions. India eventually found acceleration through Sanju Samson. He and Suryakumar Yadav added 58 runs for the third wicket; Yadav was dropped on 17 but was dismissed shortly after for 18.
At the 12-over mark, the game was neck and neck, with both teams tied on 104 runs. Following a couple of strong batting overs for India, the hosts required 19 off the final two overs. Samson carried his bat through the innings, finishing on a magical 97 not out to complete a record chase and knock the Men in Maroon out of the tournament.
In his final post-match interview of the World Cup, West Indian skipper Hope had this to say:
“You never want to end at this stage. One more game and we’d be in the semis, and things go well, you’re in the final for the big one. Must give the boys credit. We’ve got high standards set for ourselves. No other question for us. We have to play our best cricket on the day. We have to take the crucial moments and capitalise on them.”
