Mumbai, March 6 (NationPress) Following yet another exceptional performance with the bat, Sanju Samson showed remarkable composure after India triumphed over England in a thrilling encounter by seven runs, securing a spot in the final of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Despite narrowly missing a century for the second time in the tournament, the wicketkeeper-batsman remained unconcerned.

Samson played a crucial role in India's journey to the semifinals, scoring an impressive unbeaten 97 runs off 50 balls against the West Indies. He then followed this up with another outstanding innings of 89 runs against England, making India the first team to reach the final as defending champions.

"I didn’t miss two centuries; I scored 97 and 89 - that’s quite significant," Samson remarked during the post-match press conference, reflecting on his back-to-back match-winning performances.

Looking ahead, Samson is set to participate in his first World Cup final against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, an experience he described as "one of the best moments" of his life.

"This is definitely one of the most remarkable moments for me. I'm incredibly thankful. Having played this format for so long—around 300 to 400 T20 matches (328)—I’ve gained valuable experience. I’ve batted in various positions and captained an IPL team (Rajasthan Royals). This experience gives me clarity about the team’s needs and my role in the lineup, which aids in scoring runs effectively," he explained.

Initially, there were doubts about Samson’s selection for the tournament, particularly after a lackluster performance during the home T20I series against New Zealand. While Ishan Kishan began as an opening batsman alongside Abhishek Sharma, the team management later opted to shuffle the batting order, promoting Samson to open.

"It was an extremely challenging phase. I wanted to contribute significantly to the team’s success in the World Cup, but I was perhaps trying too hard during the New Zealand series," he confessed. "T20 cricket can be unpredictable. Even the top players face difficulties in this format. I had to respect the game and focus on my fundamentals," Samson added.

He continued, "During tough times, my loved ones were there for me. I chose to limit distractions by disconnecting from my phone and social media. This approach allowed me to concentrate on the right path, and I’m pleased with my current form."

In the final match on Sunday, India aims for several milestones as they compete against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, including becoming the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup, the first team to defend their title, and the first to secure three T20 world titles.