Mature Samson Wins Praise as India Enter T20WC Final Four

delivered one of the finest knocks of his T20 World Cup career, guiding India into the semi-finals of the with a masterful unbeaten 97* against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday.

The stylish opener smashed 12 fours and four towering sixes in his 50-ball innings, earning the Player of the Match award and steering India through a tense run chase in a high-pressure knockout clash.

Shastri Applauds Composure

Former India head coach praised Samson’s maturity and calmness under pressure.

Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri highlighted the batter’s composure despite wickets falling around him.

“This was not a league game. This was a knockout contest. What impressed me most was his calmness and composure. He never lost his cool in front of a big crowd,” Shastri said.

He added that while Samson’s talent has never been questioned, consistency had often been the concern — something the right-hander answered emphatically with this match-winning performance.

Gambhir: “World-Class Talent”

India head coach echoed similar sentiments, describing Samson as a “world-class player.”

Gambhir emphasized that Samson didn’t rely on brute force but instead played classical cricketing shots with control and timing.

“He never really accelerated. It was all proper cricket shots. That’s the kind of talent he has,” Gambhir noted.

Crucial Partnerships

India faced a wobble when captain was dismissed for 18 during the chase. However, Samson steadied the innings with key partnerships alongside (27) and (17), ensuring India crossed the line in the final over.

The victory sets up a blockbuster semi-final clash against England in Mumbai on Thursday, as India look to continue their march toward the T20 World Cup title.

With two matches potentially left in the tournament, Samson’s form could not have peaked at a better time.