With the stakes rising in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir paid a visit to the revered Kalighat Kali Temple ahead of India’s crucial clash against the West Indies team. The high-pressure encounter will take place at Eden Gardens on March 1, marking the final Super Eight fixture for both sides.

The contest has effectively turned into a virtual knockout. The winning team will secure a coveted semi-final berth, while the losing side will be knocked out of the tournament. India enters the match with momentum after a commanding 72-run victory over the Zimbabwe national cricket team, while the West Indies arrive after suffering a heavy nine-wicket defeat against the South Africa national cricket team.

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Both teams had earlier dominated the group stage, finishing with perfect records. India, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, topped their group with wins over United States national cricket team, Namibia national cricket team, Pakistan national cricket team and Netherlands national cricket team. Their campaign included a 29-run win over the USA in Mumbai and a dominant 93-run victory against Namibia in Delhi — India’s biggest win by runs in T20 World Cup history.

Gautam Gambhir prays at Kalighat Temple in Kolkata ahead of India-WI T20 World Cup super 8 clash. pic.twitter.com/yV42RfJPqs

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Meanwhile, the West Indies also looked formidable in the opening phase. They defeated the Scotland national cricket team by 35 runs in Kolkata, followed by a 30-run win against England in Mumbai. Convincing victories over the Nepal and Italy national cricket teams further strengthened their early dominance.

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However, the Super Eight stage presented contrasting fortunes for both sides. India suffered a significant 72-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, impacting their net run rate. In comparison, West Indies initially surged ahead with a massive 107-run win over Zimbabwe before their five-match winning streak ended against South Africa.

Now, everything comes down to one decisive night in Kolkata. With a semi-final place on the line, both India and West Indies will be under immense pressure to deliver in this winner-takes-all clash.