New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) Sanju Samson commenced his journey in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup as a mere spectator, having played only one league match against Namibia in New Delhi. Concerns arose that he might remain an unused player once again, similar to his experience during the triumphant 2024 campaign.

Just when it appeared that another story of unrealized potential was about to unfold for Samson, a pivotal moment occurred as he was recalled for the Super Eights match against Zimbabwe. From that point on, Samson not only emerged from the shadows but also took center stage, becoming the driving force behind India’s quest for a third T20 World Cup title.

Between March 1-8, he transformed his legacy, starting with an incredible unbeaten 97 in a crucial match against the West Indies in Kolkata. He followed this with two remarkable innings of 89 each in the semi-final and final against England and New Zealand, respectively. By the end of the tournament, Samson had accumulated 321 runs from just five innings at an astonishing strike rate of 199, earning him the title of Player of the Tournament.

His remarkable comeback included a record-setting 24 sixes, the highest ever by any player in a single tournament edition. For a cricketer who has grappled with inconsistency and unrealized promise, this moment felt richly deserved.

India’s commanding 96-run victory over New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium will be etched in history as a remarkable win, but the lasting image of the 2026 campaign will undoubtedly be Samson finally shining on a grand stage, with runs flowing as freely as the fireworks lighting up the Ahmedabad sky on March 8.

Biju George first witnessed Samson batting at the age of 11 at the Medical College Ground in Thiruvananthapuram, located nearly 25 km from his home in Vizhinjam. He vividly recalls the moment when Samson was selected for India’s tour of England in 2014.

“I can still picture him with his kit bag slung over his shoulder, walking down the ground. He approached me, hugged me, and said, ‘Sir, we’ve made it,’” George reminisced in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Over 11 years later, George stayed up late after the final, riding the wave of pride for Samson. "I’m thrilled for Sanju. He has experienced lows, and now he is savoring the highs, and I hope these highs last longer than the lows.

“People now view him in a new light. He has achieved what Kohli and Rohit did for India in the World Cup, and perhaps what Dhoni accomplished as well, despite having fewer innings. So, all the credit goes to Sanju for his incredible comeback.”

Samson’s journey to this moment was facilitated by India’s desire to diversify their batting lineup at the top order. "Every class player needs just one break, one significant opportunity. He received that break and capitalized on it,” George stated.

“From another perspective, he has faced the bowlers from Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, and New Zealand multiple times in the IPL, which provided him with valuable insights.”

Watching Samson bat is a joy for purists. At his peak, he stands with his signature stillness. Zubin Bharucha, a former Mumbai batter who has mentored and coached Samson since he was 17, elaborates on the structural purity of his technique.

"Many players strike the ball beautifully, but only a few can achieve a higher level of purity stemming from their bat swing and the ball's exit. The longer and higher the backlift, the more time and purity of strike, but also more complications due to the longer journey to the ball. His backlift is among the highest in world cricket, often with the toe of the bat passing his head.

“This uniqueness is part of his batting DNA. When the bat descends from that extended coil, the ball leaves the bat with a distinct sound, showcasing the effortless quality in his stroke play—a rarity in the cricketing world,” Bharucha shared with IANS.

This purity was not always visible. Prior to the World Cup, Samson had only scored 46 runs in five innings against New Zealand. An exaggerated trigger movement and being too deep in the crease hindered his performance, but with the support of the Indian coaching staff, he regained his footing.

"He has since corrected those issues and is performing excellently. In cricket, one cannot expect to adjust techniques instantly; rather, techniques evolve through experience, facing different bowlers, and playing on varied pitches,” George explained.

“He has found his balance and rhythm, knowing exactly what he wants to achieve. With a solid base established, he can let his hands do the work with a clear bat path, high back-lift, and a graceful follow-through.”

Despite his immense talent, the psychological burden of doubt often weighed heavily on him. These doubts dissipated when he knelt and made a sign of the cross in gratitude after his unbeaten 97 in Kolkata.

“Each individual has a unique journey, but the wait and struggle make the achievement all the more special. His unwavering talent has helped him overcome every obstacle along the way.”

“It was a mental challenge for him, especially after scoring three centuries in tough conditions in South Africa, where the next best score was around thirty. After such performances, it was disheartening to see doubt cast over his position.”

In Kerala, Samson occupies a space in popular culture that transcends statistics. George recalls how his household help—a devoted cricket enthusiast—expressed concern over Samson's inconsistent performance.

“She remarked to my wife in the week before Sanju was selected after his earlier failures, ‘I’m under so much stress at home. My child is unwell, there’s an EMI pending, but the real concern is why isn’t Sanju scoring runs? Please ask him.’

“She was saying, ‘I can handle all these life stresses, but why isn’t our kid making runs? That’s the connection he has with the audience in Kerala, and it extends beyond; everyone adores him. He’s like the younger brother every family desires, and the ideal son every mother wishes for.”

Before the tournament, Samson diligently prepared by practicing for extensive hours each day on grounds made available by the Kerala Cricket Association. "Special thanks to secretary Mr. Vinod S Kumar for allowing the use of those three first-class grounds, even under lights,” stated George.

Bowlers came in shifts, with Bharucha supervising the technical aspects of these sessions. "At this stage of his career, any camp focuses on ensuring technical aspects are well in place while practicing a high variability of scenarios, such as early swinging balls or various spin angles. Once everything was set, he was ready to shine.”

Support from his wife Charulatha Remesh, friend Iqlas Naha, and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar helped Samson maintain his focus. "He sought guidance from the Master Blaster, demonstrating how legends of Indian cricket continue to support the current generation, showcasing the legacy they leave behind.”

George also revealed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir has long admired Samson since their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). "People often mention Rajasthan Royals as his starting point, but he actually began his IPL career with KKR.

“When he hit that unbeaten 97 against the West Indies, I thought it was fitting that he turned things around in the city where he first began.”

“He was awarded an academy contract by KKR, and Venky Mysore played a crucial role in securing his IPL contract, especially during Gautam Gambhir’s leadership.”

“Many are unaware that Gautam Gambhir has always been a significant supporter of Sanju. Back in 2013/14, when I was with KKR, Gautam bhai would frequently ask, ‘What is Sanju up to? Ensure he doesn’t fail; take care of him.’”

George, who leads talent scouting for KKR, has refrained from contacting Samson since the final, allowing the excitement to settle. "I remain in a state of euphoria. I’m uncertain if this is a dream or reality, but it’s incredibly rewarding for him.”

“I hope he excels in the IPL as he joins a new team (Chennai Super Kings) on a different pitch. The Chennai wicket has also changed; it has become flatter, which should suit him well. I didn’t reach out because I wanted everything to sink in for him. I’ll speak to him only after the IPL.”

For Bharucha, the question of whether this moment signifies a new beginning for Samson is complex, yet he believes there’s a potential opportunity for him to captain India. "This is a challenging question to answer; in many respects, it is indeed a new beginning, and if he chooses, he could lead India to another World Cup victory with his unique leadership qualities.

“However, given his diverse interests beyond cricket, where he aspires to address global challenges and his love for Kerala, he occupies a unique and privileged position. While fans wish to see him continue enchanting cricket audiences globally, Sanju may have other aspirations. Perhaps he can find a balance between both worlds, but only time will reveal what truly brings him joy.”

In three knockout matches, Samson not only changed the course of his own career but also etched his name in the annals of World Cup history. “The day he received his first call-up to India in 2014 filled me with immense joy, and now this accomplishment brings me even greater happiness. What more could I ask for as a coach?”

“Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) and Sanju are likely the two players closest to my heart. Jemi is like my daughter, and for Sanju, I wish he continues this journey for a long time,” concluded George.