New Delhi, March 11 (NationPress) India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has shared the understated assurance that came before Sanju Samson's remarkable comeback, which earned him the title of Player of the Tournament during the victorious 2026 Men's T20 World Cup. Kotak reminisced about how the wicketkeeper-batter assured that he would step up for the team whenever required.

Samson is currently the hero of the cricket-loving public, still celebrating India's 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. However, the journey to this achievement was not without challenges—Samson only managed a mere 46 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand prior to the World Cup, casting doubt on his position in the playing eleven.

He initially played just once during the group stage against Namibia in New Delhi, as his teammate Abhishek Sharma was sidelined due to stomach issues. A strategic change during the Super Eights, following a 76-run defeat to South Africa, led to Samson's return to the squad to disrupt a left-handed opening partnership.

In response, Samson delivered a stunning performance, scoring 97 not out in a crucial match against the West Indies, followed by consecutive scores of 89 in both the semi-final and final, driving India to its third Men's T20 World Cup title.

“I always told Sanju, ‘Sometimes, an injury or a form issue can arise in just a couple of days, so you must be prepared.’ He would laugh and say, ‘Arey Kotsi bhai, don’t worry. Whenever the team needs me, I will step up,’” Kotak explained.

“I am thrilled for him. After facing numerous ups and downs, he truly rose to the occasion during the last three matches. His composure and the way he played those innings were incredibly beneficial to our success,” Kotak shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Samson's technique underwent significant adjustments, particularly his trigger movements and deep positioning, which previously hindered his natural stroke play. Kotak elaborated on how focused efforts brought Samson’s stance back to stability, restoring the famous stillness in his shots as the tournament progressed.

“I implemented technical changes for Sanju, focusing on establishing an early base. His previous approach caused weight to shift onto one foot, affecting his back foot movement. This change was necessary because he was often late in handling well-pitched deliveries at an ideal length, a modification we worked on for 6-8 months,” Kotak described.

“While skill improvements can happen in just a few weeks, mental doubts can linger, especially when a player struggles despite trying new techniques. However, Sanju ultimately embraced the adjustments, and both he and I feel great about the outcome,” he added.

Having been an unused member during the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup victory, Samson amassed 321 runs across just five innings in 2026, making him India's leading scorer and surpassing Virat Kohli's 319-run record from 2014, thus becoming the most prolific Indian batter in a single edition of the tournament.

Samson also joined an elite group as only the third Indian to be named Player of the Tournament in a Men's T20 World Cup, following Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. For a player who has navigated numerous challenges in cricket, particularly at the international level, this World Cup victory signifies a hard-earned redemption.

Kotak praised head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for their unwavering support of Samson's aggressive playing style. “Credit goes to the selectors, Gautam, and Sanju himself, as they maintained faith in him despite considerable criticism,” he noted.

“Sanju possesses immense talent as a batter, especially in this high-risk, high-reward format. When a player encounters a rough patch, it can be challenging to regain momentum, but the faith shown by the selectors and the coaching staff was crucial,” Kotak added.

Seeing Samson receive such admiration from fans and fellow cricketers post-World Cup victory prompted Kotak to reflect on their journey together since he first witnessed Samson's talent during the India A series in September 2019 against South Africa.

“Sanju has been part of the team’s leadership group, having captained Rajasthan Royals for several years. His temperament is well-known, and I had the opportunity to work with him during the India A matches in 2019. In the final match of that series, I sent him in at number three, and he scored a remarkable 91 runs against a South African bowling lineup including Anrich Nortje and Temba Bavuma. From that day, I recognized his potential for greatness,” Kotak reminisced.

“Later, in 2023, while preparing for a Test series in South Africa under Rahul Dravid, I saw the potential in moving Sanju up the batting order after an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad. He responded with a brilliant century against South Africa in Paarl, showcasing his extraordinary capabilities,” Kotak concluded. “Seeing Sanju deliver in those critical matches was incredibly rewarding,” he said.