Kolkata, March 2: India captain Suryakumar Yadav paid a heartfelt tribute to Sanju Samson after the wicketkeeper-batter's match-winning 97 not out led India into the T20 World Cup semi-finals, adding that the innings was a well-deserved reward for a cricketer who has faced more than his fair share of hardships.
Samson's unbeaten innings, featuring 12 fours and four sixes, guided India to a five-wicket victory over the West Indies at Eden Gardens on Sunday in a crucial Super Eights clash. The impact of Samson's innings was so significant that Suryakumar applauded when the wicketkeeper-batter returned to the dressing room after the chase.
"I always say that good things happen to good people at the right time. There was no better time or stage for someone like him to step up and give the team what it needed," Suryakumar said in a video posted by the BCCI on their social media accounts on Monday.
He also reflected on Samson's challenging year, which saw him frequently being in and out of the team, even having to bat out of his usual opening position. "I always say that good things happen to good people at the right time. There was no better time or stage for someone like him to step up and give the team what it needed," Suryakumar added.
"That comes with experience, and he has also seen many ups and downs in his life. I don't want to go back to what happened in the whole year – losing his position, batting out of position, and then coming back and batting at the same position," he explained.
"Winning the World Cup is not easy. The World Cups and ICC tournaments are won by courageous people, and this was a courageous innings. He could have easily been dismissed early, but the way he batted, he held one side together and guided the team to victory," Suryakumar said.
"He deserves all the credit. I'm very happy for him, his wife, his family back home, and all the people who love and support him. We're just one step closer," he elaborated.
In between, Samson jokingly replied to Suryakumar's praise. "Will you make me cry?" Samson asked Suryakumar, and the duo burst into laughter.
India will now face England in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, with Suryakumar and his team one step closer to a place in the final of a tournament they are aiming to retain on home soil.
