'Good things happen to good people': India captain Suryakumar Yadav heaps massive praise on Sanju Samson after masterclass vs West Indies

T20 World Cup 2026: India won the battle of the nerves in a do-or-die game against the West Indies to march into the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2026. Sanju Samson emerged as the match-winner for India. He played a memorable knock of 97 in just 50 balls and scripted a 5-wicket win for India at the iconic Eden Gardens on Sunday.

Suryakumar Yadav lavishes praise on Sanju Samson

Despite being sluggish in the field and below par with the ball, India managed to defeat the West Indies and book a place in the semifinal. The individual brilliance of Sanju Samson bailed India out as some of the biggest teams in the world would have crumbled had they lost players like Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan early while chasing a massive total of 196. However, the day belonged to Samson. He went unbeaten at 97* and silenced many doubters in the process. The batter also received words of appreciation from his captain, Suryakumar Yadav, following the culmination of the match.

"I always say good things happen to good people who wait. Who have a lot of patience. All his hard work ,what he has been doing behind the doors when he hasn't been playing, he has got the fruits for it at the perfect stage," he said during the post-match presentation.

With Abhishek and Ishan firing at the top, Sanju had lost his place in the playing XI. However, he returned to the scheme of things right on time, and this time justified his selection by winning India the match and taking the team through to the semifinal.

India book a place in semifinal

Suryakumar expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the team. "I feel everyone bowled according to plans. We knew 200 is always a good score to chase here with the dew and the ball coming on nicely. And the way the batters responded later on with small partnerships, that was the key. [On being in the semis] Very happy to be there. The way we played from the first game, we deserve that spot.

As hosts and defending champions, India entered the competition with a lot of expectations. They have been the burden of one dream of a billion people, and India captain Suryakumar fancies the challenge.

"Expectations will always be there but you should always know what you have to do on the field. I told the boys that there will be pressure and expectations of a lot of people but in games like this you have to be courageous and take positive options whenever under pressure. When there's no pressure, there is no fun. There is pressure, there are butterflies in the stomach but it's about how you understand that and how you take it."

With the win, India have booked a semifinal clash against England. The match will take place on Thursday, March 5, at the Wankhede Stadium.