Ahmedabad, March 9 (NationPress) Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson recounted how his return to the squad during the triumphant 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup was ignited by a motivating message from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who urged him to prepare for the Super Eights match against Zimbabwe.

Having not featured in the previous 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup victory, Samson played in the league stage against Namibia in New Delhi as Abhishek Sharma was recovering from a stomach ailment. He was reintegrated into the lineup for the crucial Super Eights match against Zimbabwe.

However, it was his remarkable performance in the must-win game against the West Indies, where he scored an impressive 97 not out, that truly showcased his talent. This was followed by stellar innings of 89 in the semi-finals against England and in the final against New Zealand. In total, Samson accumulated 321 runs, boasting an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament as India clinched their third title.

"I met Gauti bhai in the gym before the Zimbabwe game, and he told me, 'Sanju, be ready, you're going to play the next match.' I was fully prepared. I thought, 'Yes, this is my moment to shine, this is what I have been waiting for,'" Samson shared with JioStar after India’s victory by 96 runs in the final.

He expressed his discomfort with competing against his teammates for a spot in the playing eleven, stating, "I want to be honest, I don’t enjoy competing with my teammates. When we unite for a common cause, I perform my best.

“During the New Zealand series, it was always a question of 'Will I make the team?' I don’t excel when I’m in competition for places. However, once the opportunity arose, we were all focused on winning the World Cup, and I’m thrilled with how everything turned out in the end."

Reflecting on the emotional journey from being sidelined in the 2024 edition to becoming Player of the Tournament in 2026, Samson was candid. "I had envisioned this, especially during the World Cup in the West Indies a year and a half ago. I was visualizing and practicing to achieve something like this.

“After the New Zealand series, I thought my dreams were dashed. I believe God had a different plan, and I am immensely thankful. I felt devastated and allowed myself to process those emotions, not moving from my bed for four to five days.

“I was unable to bat or find joy. I acknowledged my feelings of disappointment. I realized I didn’t capitalize on the chances I had. I allowed myself to experience my emotions, accepted them, and that helped me recover more swiftly."

Bowler Varun Chakaravarthy, who emerged as the joint leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, described the victory as one of the pinnacle moments of his cricketing career, crediting Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for reassuring him that he would play in the final, despite costly performances.

"This is undoubtedly among the top moments of my career, as it’s the World Cup. No team has won it back-to-back, and no host nation has done so, making this achievement remarkable. It feels surreal to have won a World Cup for my country, especially since I began playing cricket at 26, which felt late at the time," he remarked.

"Two factors contributed. Firstly, the pitches favored batters, making it challenging for me, yet I managed to take vital wickets. Secondly, I must credit Surya and Gauti bhai; they had unwavering faith that I would play in the final, stating, 'Even if you concede 60 runs in four overs for the next ten matches, you are playing,'" he added.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan emphasized the team's belief in Chakaravarthy, despite his dip in form post-league stage. "We always had faith he would perform well. Even the finest bowlers have off days, and it doesn’t concern us as a team.

“We must support each other, and Varun has displayed remarkable quality throughout the tournament and prior. It comes down to being in the right mindset and executing the right bowling techniques. He consistently demonstrated this and never gave up, even on tough days."

Kishan concluded by reflecting on his personal journey back into the Indian team after 2023. "Honestly, the moment I was out, it was a long journey for me. Transitioning from domestic cricket to rejoining the team and winning this tournament has been a rollercoaster ride.

“We need to secure more titles like this because these are unforgettable moments. I’m incredibly happy, and so is the team, and we aim to replicate this success again and again."