Kolkata, March 2 (NationPress) Following Sanju Samson's remarkable unbeaten score of 97, which propelled India into the semi-finals of the Men’s T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory against the West Indies at Eden Gardens, head coach Gautam Gambhir praised him for rising to the occasion when the team needed significant runs.

Samson's innings featured 12 boundaries and four sixes off just 50 deliveries, thrilling a crowd of 67,000 as India successfully chased down a challenging target of 196, finishing the match with four balls left and setting up a semi-final clash against England in Mumbai on Thursday.

“He is undoubtedly a world-class player, and we are all aware of Sanju's abilities. It was crucial to support him. Today was certainly the day when he demonstrated his entire potential,” Gambhir remarked after the match.

When asked what impressed him most about Samson’s outstanding performance, Gambhir highlighted the wicketkeeper-batter’s excellent shot timing from the very beginning. “To me, it seemed he didn't force the pace of the innings; he played very natural cricketing shots without trying to muscle the ball, which showcases the talent he possesses,” he elaborated.

“When a player feels in control and is performing well in the nets, it’s about transferring that skill to the game. He understood the wicket was good and the outfield quick. As I have always said, he is a world-class talent, and I hope to see many more innings like this from Sanju moving forward,” he added.

“He faced a challenging series against New Zealand, so it's sometimes essential to give him a break, relieving him from pressure. We knew he would deliver whenever we needed him in this World Cup match,” he further explained.

Gambhir also noted that India conceding only 45 runs during the power-play, despite not taking any wickets, was a vital factor in securing victory in this must-win match. “We had a strong start, especially in a game of such significance. It's crucial to begin well with the new ball, and both Arshdeep and Hardik executed that effectively,” he stated.

“The first three overs were particularly impressive, and Axar's two overs during the power-play were commendable as well. Bowling two overs in the power-play isn't easy on this wicket, but Axar managed it exceptionally. The power-play phase didn't slip away from us, which was critical; once it does, controlling the game becomes challenging,” he emphasized.

Regarding Shivam Dube's quick eight runs, which relieved some pressure during the chase, Gambhir stated, “For far too long, we’ve only highlighted certain contributions. This is a team sport and will always be a team sport.”

“In my opinion, Shivam's two boundaries were just as crucial as Sanju's 97, as without those, Sanju’s performance wouldn’t have received the same attention. While major contributions make headlines, these smaller contributions are what help the team succeed, and that is our philosophy,” he concluded.