New Delhi, March 3 – Former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes Sanju Samson's return to the eleven for the Super Eights of the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup is a sign that things are falling into place at the right time for the defending champions, ahead of their semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
Samson played a brilliant innings of 97 off 50 balls against West Indies in Kolkata, helping India chase down 196 and win by five wickets. This performance, particularly after a period of limited opportunities, highlights his potential.
Gavaskar commented, “Yes, sometimes you have situations where a player gets the chance to shine. I believe that Rinku Singh's father's illness and his absence from the team earlier, created an opportunity for Samson. While the match against West Indies wasn't in Kolkata, the opportunity arose in Chennai.”
Samson had only played one game in the group stage, scoring 22 against Namibia in New Delhi, with Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma preferred as the opening pair. However, his performance in the Super Eights against Zimbabwe, where he scored 24, showcased his ability to contribute significantly.
Gavaskar added, “Samson's performance was crucial. It's important to note that after a period of limited opportunities, he stepped up and delivered, which is a testament to his talent. His ability to anchor the innings and score quickly, especially when the team needed it most, was very valuable.”
Gavaskar also highlighted the significance of the match against England, which is a repeat of the 1987 World Cup final. "This match has all the ingredients of a classic. Both teams are well-balanced and have the potential to win," he stated.
Regarding India's past struggles in semi-finals, Gavaskar dismissed concerns, saying, “India has had some challenging semi-final experiences at the Wankhede Stadium, but I believe they have the capability to reach the final in Ahmedabad. They have a strong team and a good chance of winning.”
Gavaskar also offered advice to young left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma, who has struggled with consistency. "Abhishek should focus on building his innings rather than trying to score quickly from the start. He needs to be patient and take advantage of the power play, where only two fielders are outside the 30-metre circle. He should play to his strengths and not try to bat in the fourth gear all the time."
Gavaskar concluded by mentioning a charity golf initiative organized in Mumbai, featuring prominent Indian and international sportspersons. The event aims to raise funds for the CHAMPS Foundation, founded by Gavaskar, which supports former Indian international sportspersons facing financial and medical challenges.
