New Delhi, March 3 (NationPress) Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar asserts that Sanju Samson's re-entry into the playing eleven for the Super Eights of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup signifies that the defending champions are aligning their strengths perfectly as they prepare for the semi-final clash against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.

Samson delivered a remarkable performance, scoring an impressive 97 not out off just 50 deliveries, enabling India to successfully chase down 196 runs and defeat the West Indies by five wickets in a critical match witnessed by 67,000 fans at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

“Indeed, there are moments when everything starts to fall into place. I believe that the absence of Rinku Singh due to his father’s illness opened the door for Sanju Samson to join the team, not in Kolkata, but in the earlier game in Chennai.

“He initiated the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma, contributing over 40 runs, a much-needed boost considering the previous matches where one of the openers, either Abhishek or Ishan Kishan, was dismissed for a duck, resulting in early wickets during the power play,” Gavaskar mentioned in response to an inquiry from IANS before the DP World Celebrity Golf Event aimed at raising awareness for the CHAMPS Foundation.

Samson had limited opportunities during the group stage, scoring only 22 runs against Namibia in New Delhi, with the Indian team primarily opting for the left-handed opening duo of Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma.

However, after facing a 76-run setback against South Africa, he was called back for the Super Eights match against Zimbabwe, where he scored 24 runs swiftly before delivering a remarkable performance that included 12 boundaries and four sixes in a pivotal match that advanced India to the semi-finals.

“They often lost two wickets during the power play. Nevertheless, that partnership provided stability to the innings. With his outstanding batting, transitioning from a left-right combination, it significantly improved the team’s performance.

“This was reminiscent of the earlier successful partnership before Samson faced a slump and Ishan Kishan returned. Thus, it’s clear that the pieces are aligning well. Both England and India are in peak form, promising an exciting match,” Gavaskar added.

He also praised Samson's remarkable innings in Kolkata, calling it one of the best he has witnessed in recent T20 history. “He anchored the innings beautifully and guided India to victory, which is crucial. Often, players tend to get out in the 16th or 17th over, making it challenging for new batters.

“His innings were exceptional; he played within his strengths without taking undue risks, avoiding reverse sweeps or scoops, and focused on conventional shots, marking one of the finest T20 innings in recent memory,” Gavaskar noted.

England, led by Harry Brook, heads into the semi-final with a perfect track record in the Super Eights, gathering momentum and confidence as the tournament progresses. Gavaskar anticipates that the upcoming clash, marking the third consecutive meeting between India and England in this stage, will be spectacular.

“This match promises to be an exhilarating contest, similar to the quarter-final against West Indies. Both teams are evenly matched with strong batting, bowling, and all-rounders. Each possesses finishers and a diverse bowling lineup, along with considerable T20 experience.

“England features players familiar with the IPL and accustomed to Indian conditions, making them adept at handling the crowd pressure. It is expected to be a thrilling match, potentially extending to the last over,” he elaborated.

When asked about India’s past semi-final challenges at Wankhede Stadium, including losses to England in the 1987 ODI World Cup and the West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup, Gavaskar exhibited calmness.

“Recently, it was mentioned that West Indies had never lost a knockout game at Eden Gardens, but that streak ended. This is a new era and a new team. Yes, India hasn’t had favorable semi-final outcomes at Wankhede, but I firmly believe they have the potential to reach the final in Ahmedabad,” he stated.

Gavaskar also offered advice to young opener Abhishek Sharma, who has amassed 80 runs in six matches at an average of 13.33. Despite a standout 55 against Zimbabwe, he has struggled to contribute significantly. Gavaskar urged him to focus on building his innings rather than attacking aggressively from the start.

“My suggestion is to refrain from always operating at full throttle. Instead, gradually increase your pace as you settle in. While it’s essential to capitalize during the power play when fielding restrictions apply, it’s equally important to play to your strengths without feeling the need to constantly be in attack mode.

“As demonstrated by Sanju Samson, who managed to score 97 off 50 balls, anyone who achieves such a score significantly boosts their team’s chances. If you can set a target of 190-200 in the semi-finals while batting first, it greatly enhances your likelihood of winning,” he concluded.

In connection with the semi-final, Gavaskar discussed a charity golf initiative scheduled for Friday in Mumbai, featuring prominent figures from both Indian and international sports. The event aims to raise funds for the CHAMPS Foundation (Caring, Helping, Assisting, Motivating, Promoting Sportsperson), which supports former Indian athletes facing financial and medical hardships.

“We recognized the semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup was happening in Mumbai on March 5, so we anticipated the presence of commentators and former players. We decided to invite those who play golf to participate in this initiative.

“I don’t play golf myself, and I often joke about it. People ask me why I’m one of the few cricketers who hasn’t taken up golf, and I humorously respond that I worked hard for my centuries in Test cricket and prefer not to take the easy route to a century, as is common in golf,” he concluded.