Mumbai, March 6 (NationPress) Following another remarkable performance, Sanju Samson played a pivotal role in India’s seven-run victory over England, propelling the team to the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Despite narrowly missing out on a century for the second time in this tournament, the wicketkeeper-batter remained composed.

After scoring a match-winning, unbeaten 97 runs off 50 balls against the West Indies to secure a semi-final spot, he followed it up with an impressive 89 runs against England, making India the first team to reach the T20 World Cup final as defending champions.

"I haven’t missed out on two centuries. Scoring 97 and 89 is significant," Samson stated during the post-match conference, reflecting on his impactful innings.

Samson is set to experience his first World Cup final on Sunday against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, which he described as "one of the best moments" of his life.

"This means everything to me. I have been playing this format for quite a while, participating in around 300 to 400 T20 matches (328). I have batted in various positions and led my IPL team, the Rajasthan Royals. This extensive experience has given me a clear understanding of the team's needs and my role, which certainly aids in performing well," he elaborated.

Initially, there were doubts about his place in the tournament due to a poor run in the home T20I series against New Zealand. While Ishan Kishan started as an opener alongside Abhishek Sharma, a change in strategy led to Samson being promoted to open the innings, with Kishan shifting to No. 3 to stabilize the batting order amidst Abhishek's struggles.

"It was a very challenging time. I aimed to contribute significantly to the team’s success in the World Cup but felt I was trying too hard during the New Zealand series," he admitted. "I wanted to make a mark and secure my spot in the World Cup XI, but T20 cricket can be unpredictable. Even the best players face difficulties in this format. I had to refocus on the fundamentals of the game," said Samson.

He added, "During tough times, my close ones stood by me. I shut myself off from distractions—no phone, no social media. This reduction in external noise allowed me to concentrate better, and I’m pleased with my progress."

As India prepares for the title match, they are pursuing several milestones, including becoming the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup, the first team to defend their title, and the first to clinch three T20 world titles.