Ahmedabad, March 8: India wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson said that constant guidance from legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar had helped him overcome setbacks and shaped his performances in the tournament, which contributed to the team's victory in the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup.
"To be honest, a lot of guidance and suggestions came from our senior players in the team. The former Indian team members really reached out to me, and they tried to help me. But I think, in the last couple of months, I've been able to share my experiences with Sachin Tendulkar. I have been in constant touch with Sachin Tendulkar sir.
"When I was in Australia, I wasn't playing any games. So, I thought, what kind of mindset is required now? I reached out to him and we had some really important conversations. Yesterday, he even called to check how I was feeling.
"So, getting guidance from someone like him, what more can I ask for? I think that clarity, that game preparation, that game awareness, that game sense, I am very grateful to everyone who supported me," Samson said during the post-match presentation ceremony.
This marks a remarkable achievement for Samson, who didn't play in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup win but was drafted back into the playing eleven after the Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe.
However, after the must-win clash against the West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 97, Samson shone in the World Cup with scores of 89 in the semi-final against England and then in the final against New Zealand – becoming only the third player to achieve this in the T20 World Cup.
Overall, Samson amassed 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike-rate of 199.37. "It feels like a dream. I am very happy and grateful. I am out of words. I am just going through this, so it feels a bit surreal. To be very honest, I think it all started one or two years ago.
"When I was with the 2024 World Cup-winning team in the West Indies, I couldn't play any games. I kept visualising and dreaming. I kept working hard. This is exactly what I wanted to achieve. And by God's grace, I think things have turned around," he added.
Samson also talked about the time he felt his dream of performing in the World Cup was over after scoring only 46 runs in the T20I series against New Zealand and expressed gratitude to God for his plans coming true.
"Right after the New Zealand series, I was completely down. I thought, my dreams are shattered, what else can I do? But God had different plans. I think I suddenly came back into the crucial games and I did what I could for my country.
"So, I am very proud and happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it. And actually, things have turned out so well for me. So, I am very grateful. This itself is a big achievement for me. I need to enjoy this now. Then, I think after a few days, we'll figure out what to do next," he concluded.
