Opening batsman Sanju Samson (97 not out off 50 balls) played a special innings to help India knock West Indies out of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men's T20 World Cup in their pivotal Super 8s clash at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on March 1.

Set a target of 196 after the Windies posted 195 for four, Samson displayed a mixture of poise and controlled aggression as he carried his bat to steer the co-hosts to 199 for five with four balls to spare – securing this year's last semifinal spot. It was India's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cups, as their previous best was the 173 they chased to beat South Africa in a 2014 semifinal. In the 2014 final, India eventually fell to Sri Lanka, but they will hope their fortunes are better this time around as they prepare for a semifinal meeting with England on March 5.

The Windies grabbed the scalps of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan (both ten) in the power play, while skipper Suryakumar Yadav (18) was dismissed in the 11th over by Shamar Joseph (two for 42). However, with Samson at the crease, the Indians always looked in control. Samson got help along the way with cameos from Tilak Varma (27 off 15) and Hardik Pandya (17 off 14), and India needed just 17 off the last ten balls when the latter was dismissed in the penultimate over by Joseph.

New batsman Shivam Dube (eight not out) struck two fours off Joseph in the first three balls he faced, leaving India needing just seven runs off the last over from Romario Shepherd. Fittingly, Samson brought up the winning runs by cracking a six and a four as he fell just short of a deserved hundred.

Earlier, the West Indies had a mixed outing with the bat, with captain Shai Hope and former captain Rovman Powell both saying the team fell roughly ten to 15 runs short of their desired total. The West Indies opening pair took many by surprise, with Roston Chase (40 off 25) partnering Hope, as the out-of-form Brandon King finally lost his spot. It was the first time Chase was opening in T20s.

With Hope struggling at roughly a run-a-ball, the West Indies laboured to 45 without loss at the end of the power play and then progressed to 82 for one at the halfway mark. In the 12th over, India's ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah (two for 36) landed the double-blow of Chase and the in-form Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 12). Shortly after, Sherfane Rutherford (14 off nine) was dismissed immediately after the drinks break as the Windies slipped to 119 for four by the 15th over.

The pair of Powell (34 not out off 19) and Jason Holder (37 not out off 22) shared in an unbeaten 76-run partnership to get the Men In Maroon up to 195. Still, that total proved a meek one for Samson, who endeared himself to the Eden Gardens crowd with his calm under pressure and explosive strokeplay.

The West Indies finished third in their Super 8s group behind South Africa and India, and will not progress to the semifinals.

Summarised Scores:

WEST INDIES: 195/4 from 20 overs (Roston Chase 40, Jason Holder 37 not out, Rovman Powell 34 not out, Shai Hope 32; Jasprit Bumrah 2/36, Varun Chakaravarthy 1/40) vs INDIA: 199/5 from 19.2 overs (Sanju Samson 97 not out, Tilak Varma 27, Suryakumar Yadav 18, Hardik Pandya 17; J Holder 2/38, Shamar Joseph 2/42). India won by five wickets.