Hubballi, February 28 – The Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Devajit Saikia, has urged the Indian cricket team to draw inspiration from the Jammu & Kashmir team, who have won their first Ranji Trophy title, as Suryakumar Yadav's team prepares for their final T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match against the two-time champions West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday.
J&K made history at the Hubli Cricket Ground on Saturday by winning the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy title, achieving a massive lead in the first innings against the eight-time champions, Karnataka. Saikia believes that India can also win their crucial match against the West Indies and make the country proud, just as J&K believed in themselves and defeated the formidable Karnataka.
"Tomorrow is a significant day for the country. Today, J&K defeated Karnataka, a strong and experienced team, at their home ground. They have sent a message that anything is possible in cricket. Tomorrow in Kolkata, it will be like a quarter-final, a do-or-die match for India. So, all our players will do their best so that the country will be proud of their performance," Saikia told IANS.
The semi-final equation is straightforward for both India and the West Indies. The winner of the match will advance to the next round, along with South Africa, who have already secured their spot from Group A.
India are entering the contest after a dominant 72-run victory against Zimbabwe in their second Super 8s match, played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. They had lost their first match against South Africa and have two points from two matches.
Meanwhile, the West Indies will enter the contest after a nine-wicket defeat against the T20 World Cup 2024 runners-up, South Africa, in their second Super 8s match, played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Shai Hope's team had won their first Super 8s match against Zimbabwe. The Caribbean side also has two points in two matches.