Ahmedabad, March 9 – Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said his comeback midway through the victorious 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup was spurred by words from head coach Gautam Gambhir, who told him to be ready for the Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe.
Samson didn’t play in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup win, but featured in the league stage clash against Namibia in Delhi, as Abhishek Sharma was recovering from a stomach infection. He was drafted back into the playing eleven for the Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe.
However, it was the must-win clash against the West Indies, where he hit an unbeaten 97, that truly marked Samson's World Cup performance, followed by knocks of 89 in the semi-final against England and then in the final against New Zealand. Overall, Samson amassed 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike-rate of 199.37, earning him the Player of the Tournament award as India secured their third title.
"I spoke with Gauti bhai in the gym before the Zimbabwe game, and he told me, 'Sanju, be ready, you're going to play the next game.' I was 100 per cent prepared. I thought, 'Yes, now let's get to work, this is what I've been waiting for,'" Samson said to JioStar at the end of the final, where India won by 96 runs.
He also discussed how he doesn’t enjoy competing with his teammates for a spot in the playing eleven. "But I want to be honest, I don't like competing with my teammates for a place in the eleven. When we work together towards a common goal, I give my best.
“During the New Zealand series, I always wondered if I would be part of the team. I never perform well when I'm competing for a spot. But when we were together, fighting for the World Cup, I was glad things worked out in the end."
Indian bowler Varun Chakaravarthy, who finished as the joint leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, said this victory is one of the most memorable moments of his career and credited Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for their belief in him, despite his expensive outings.
"Definitely one of the best moments of my career, because it’s the World Cup. No team has won it back-to-back, and no host nation has won it, so it has to rank among the best. It feels like my life has come full circle because when I started cricket at 26, it felt too late, but now I've just won a World Cup for the country, and it feels surreal.
“There are two things. These are very batter-friendly pitches, so it was a little challenging for me, but on the other hand, I was able to pick up wickets here and there, which was crucial from my side.
“Secondly, credit has to go to Surya and Gauti bhai. They never had any doubts that I wouldn't play in the final. They told me, 'Even if you go for 60 runs in four overs in the next 10 matches, you're going to play'," he said.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan also commented on how the Indian team supported Chakaravarthy despite a dip in his form after the league stage. "We always believed that no matter what, he would come good. Even the best bowlers go for runs, and that doesn't matter to us as a team.
“We have to believe in each other, and Varun showed tremendous quality throughout the tournament and even before the tournament. It's just about being in the right headspace and bowling the right balls.
“He did that over and over again, and a few matches here and there, none of us minded. Every batter doesn't get runs on every day; it's the same thing with bowlers. He came out with good intent in the final and bowled with all his heart."
Kishan concluded by reflecting on his return to the Indian team after the 2023 World Cup. "To be very honest, the moment I got out of the team, it was a long journey for me. Coming from domestic cricket, making it back to the team, playing in this tournament and winning the championship, it's been a rollercoaster.
“I think we need to win more championships like this because these are the moments I will never forget in my life. I'm very happy, and so is the team, and we'll want to do it again and again."
