Ahmedabad, March 8 (NationPress) India’s wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson attributed his impressive performance to the unwavering support from cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar. This mentorship played a pivotal role in overcoming obstacles and contributed significantly to his accolades as Player of the Tournament during India’s triumphant journey in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup.

“Honestly, I have received tremendous guidance from senior players in our squad. Former Indian cricketers have reached out to assist me. However, I have been in regular contact with Sachin Tendulkar over the past months,” Samson shared.

“While I was sidelined during the matches in Australia, I pondered about the necessary mindset. I reached out to him, and we had extensive discussions. Just yesterday, he called to check in on how I'm feeling,” he added.

“Receiving advice from someone of his caliber is invaluable. I am grateful for the clarity, preparation, and awareness I gained from him as well as all the support I’ve received,” said Samson during the post-match presentation.

This achievement marks a remarkable turnaround for Samson, who did not participate in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup victory and was reintegrated into the lineup for the Super Eights match against Zimbabwe.

Starting from a crucial match against the West Indies, where he scored an impressive 97 not out, Samson shone throughout the World Cup, scoring 89 in the semi-final against England and again in the final against New Zealand, becoming just the third player in T20 World Cup history to achieve such feats.

In total, Samson accumulated 321 runs with an impressive average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. “This feels unreal. I am overjoyed and immensely grateful. I can hardly express my emotions. It feels surreal. This journey began one to two years ago,” he reflected.

“During the 2024 World Cup in the West Indies, I didn’t play a single match. I kept visualizing and dreaming. I knew I had to put in the hard work to reach my goals. By God’s grace, things have now turned around,” he continued.

Samson also recounted a moment when he believed his World Cup aspirations had ended after scoring only 46 runs in the T20I series against New Zealand, expressing his gratitude for how circumstances eventually aligned in his favor.

“After the series against New Zealand, I felt disheartened, thinking my dreams were dashed. But God had different plans. I returned for critical games and contributed to my country's success,” he stated.

“I am proud and grateful for having the courage to chase my dreams, and I am thrilled with how everything has unfolded. This moment is significant for me, and I intend to cherish it. In a few days, I’ll consider what my next steps will be,” he concluded.