Samson's knock sealed the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal berth for India.
After delivering a match-winning performance against the West Indies to seal the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal berth for India, Sanju Samson spoke on battling self-doubt and learning from the greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The wicketkeeper-batter slammed 97 not out off 50 balls with 12 fours and 4 sixes to help India chase a stiff target of 196 runs in a virtual quarterfinal clash at the Eden Gradens, Kolkata on Sunday (March 1).
The defending champions will now play England in the second semifinal on March 5 in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
"It means the whole world, actually, to me. I think right from the day I started playing, started dreaming to play for the country, I think this is the day I was waiting for. And I am very grateful, very thankful. And I have always had a very special journey with lots of ups and downs, but I have kept on doubting myself, kept on thinking, what if, what if, can I make it, can I make it? But I kept on believing and thanks to the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today," Samson said at the post-match presentation.
He went on to explain how the experience of watching hundreds of matches involving greats like Kohli and Rohit helped him play this flawless knock.
"So I am very happy. Yeah, I think that's why I have been playing this format for a very long time. I think playing IPL around 10 to 12 years and playing for the country from last 10 years, I have not been playing, but looking from the dugout, learning from the greats like Virat Kohli, from Rohit Sharma, like all the greats. I think it is very important to observe and learn and see what they were doing. I think that really helped me to, I think with my experience, I have only played maybe 50, 60 games, but I have seen around 100 games and I have seen how the greatest people have finished the games and how do they change their game according to the game," Sanju added.
The Men in Blue chased down the target with five wickets and four deliveries to spare. With wickets falling around him, Samson’s focus was on building partnerships.
"But I was just focusing on my role and just keeping one ball at a time and very grateful. I think this is one of the greatest days of my life. Yeah, definitely, they (his loyal fans) bring a lot of energy, and they do bring a lot of support. But I think on the other end, there is always a question, what if not? So definitely that keeps on playing in your mind. But when that thought kept on coming, I just brought myself into the present moment and just looked at the ball and trusted myself to react according to the ball in merit. So I think that worked out pretty well today," he remarked.
Coming to the match, West Indies piled up a formidable 195/4 in their allotted 20 overs. While Shai Hope (32), Roston Chase (40) and Shimron Hetmyer (27) set the tone with crucial partnerships at the top, Rovman Powell (34*) and Jason Holder (37*) took the Indian bowling attack to the cleaners in the death overs.
During the chase, India were reduced to 41/2 within the powerplay. It was a 58-run stand between Samson and Suryakumar Yadav (18) which brought the hosts in track. Then Sanju went on to stitch partnerships with Tilak Varma (27), Hardik Pandya (17) and Shivam Dube (8*) to take India over the line.
(With ANI Inputs)