“He never had to get into the fifth or sixth gear” - Michael Vaughan hails Sanju Samson’s calm and composed knock vs WI

Former England skipper and commentator Michael Vaughan has heaped praise on the Indian opening batter Sanju Samson, who played an unbeaten 97-run knock to propel Team India to the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

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Speaking exclusively on Cricbuzz, Vaughan stated that Samson dealt the Caribbean bowlers in the third or fourth gear, and he never had to get into the fifth or sixth gear, hailing his calm and composed knock in the 196-run chase.

"I never felt there was a stage where he wasn't in control. He never had to get into the fifth or sixth gear. He has chased that down probably in the third or fourth gear maximum. That was a beautifully timed and calm innings. I love players who are there at the end, even when they can get out, having to take risks in the end. Shaking the opposition's hands having won the game, there is no better feeling as a batter,” Michael Vaughan told Cricbuzz.

"The pitch also helped as the one in Kolkata was perfect for strokeplay. Just keep your shape and play your strokes, that's what he did. You look at the pitches in Sri Lanka, you could not have played that kind of innings. When you get on a pitch that comes on nicely, just hold your shape and open the blade,” he added.

Shifting our focus to the details of the match, the West Indies posted a daunting total of 195/4 in 20 overs, thanks to Roston Chase's 40, Rovman Powell's 34*, and Jason Holder's 37*. In the chase, India sealed the deal in 19.2 overs with five wickets in hand. Sanju Samson was the top batter with a 97-run unbeaten knock.

India will next face England in the second semi-final of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, March 5.

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