Team India officially booked a spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026 after completing a record run chase against the West Indies at Eden Gardens. Chasing a target of 196, Men in Blue relied on an unbeaten 97 from Sanju Samson to cross the finish line with four balls to spare. This victory marks India's highest-ever successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, surpassing a record that had stood since 2014. As a result, the win set up a semi-final match against England at the Wankhede Stadium on March 5.
Top 5 highest successful run chases by India in T20 World Cup history
Following this result in Kolkata, here are the top five highest successful run chases by India in T20 World Cup history.
1. India vs West Indies, Kolkata 2026 (Target: 196)
India set a new national record on March 1, 2026, by successfully chasing 196 against the West Indies at Eden Gardens. This is now officially India's highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history, moving past the 173-run mark set in 2014. Sanju Samson anchored the innings with an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls after the early loss of both openers. Support from Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma ensured the momentum remained with India through the middle overs, blunting the West Indian spin threat. India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs, securing a five-wicket victory and a place in the semi-finals.
2. India vs South Africa, Mirpur 2014 (Target: 173)
In the 2014 semi-final, South Africa set a competitive target of 173 on a steady Mirpur surface. India's chase was built on a solid start from the openers, but the defining performance came from Virat Kohli. He scored an unbeaten 72 off 44 deliveries, managing the chase through consistent strike rotation and low-risk boundary hitting. MS Dhoni's team reached 176/4 in 19.1 overs to win by six wickets. This performance was noted for its tactical discipline, as the required run rate remained under control throughout the innings. It remained India's benchmark for World Cup chases for 12 years until the 2026 edition.
3. India vs Australia, Mohali 2016 (Target: 161)
The 2016 match against Australia was a virtual quarter-final where MS Dhomi-led side chased 161 on a slowing Mohali pitch. After a difficult start that saw the team at 94/4 in the 14th over, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni shared a match-winning partnership. Kohli’s 82* off 51 balls relied on elite running between the wickets and precise hitting in the final three overs to dismantle the Australian attack. Indian team required 39 runs from the last 18 deliveries and achieved the target with five balls to spare. The win ensured Men in Blue's entry into the semi-finals and is regarded as one of the most calculated individual performances in a World Cup chase.
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4. India vs Pakistan, Melbourne 2022 (Target: 160)
Facing a target of 160 at the MCG, Rohit Sharma's team collapsed to 31/4 within the first seven overs. Nevertheless, a long partnership between Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya kept thei side in the contest, leaving 48 runs required from the final 18 balls. Then, two sixes from Kohli in the 19th over shifted the momentum, and Indian team scored the winning runs on the final delivery in front of 90,000 fans. Still, while not the highest target statistically, the recovery from such a precarious position made it one of Men in Blue's most resilient batting displays in tournament history.
5. India vs Pakistan, Mirpur 2014 (Target: 131)
In their 2014 tournament opener, India faced a modest target of 131 after the bowlers restricted Pakistan to 130/7. While the chase wasn't high-scoring, it was notable for its total control. After a solid opening stand of 54 between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, India did lose three wickets, but Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina ensured no further stumbles. India reached 131/3 in 18.3 overs to secure a comfortable seven-wicket win. This match set the tone for India's unbeaten run to the final that year.
