Sanju Samson has shared details about a conversation with Rohit Sharma during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Samson was initially left out of India’s playing XI in the later stages of the tournament, a decision that left him feeling disheartened. Despite his initial disappointment, Samson eventually made a significant return, culminating in him being named the Player of the Tournament as India secured the trophy on home soil.
After a challenging five-match T20I series against New Zealand leading into the World Cup, Samson’s place in the team was uncertain. Rohit Sharma, then captain, approached Samson with words of encouragement, telling him, “Don’t be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime.” Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala, admitted that he struggled to believe Rohit’s words at the time.
Recalling the moment, Samson told JioStar, “To be honest, I didn’t believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn’t able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day.” He explained that the disappointment lingered, making it difficult to recover quickly, especially with the World Cup campaign starting just two days after the New Zealand series.
Overcoming Initial Disappointment
Samson described a period of introspection following his exclusion from the playing XI. He noted that it typically takes him about a week to process such setbacks, and his feelings were evident. “I don’t like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I’m not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track,” he stated.
This challenging phase ultimately became an opportunity for self-reflection. Samson began to question his motivations and purpose in cricket. “You know you’ve failed, so what’s next? You’re at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What’s my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back,” Samson shared.
He also acknowledged the competitive landscape, particularly with Ishan Kishan performing strongly. Samson had been traded to Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals for Rs 18 crore ahead of IPL 2026, but he recognised Kishan’s ascendancy in the pecking order. “I could clearly see that Ishan was moving above me in the pecking order,” Samson commented, reflecting on Kishan’s impressive form after winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
A Remarkable Comeback
Samson’s journey in the T20 World Cup 2026 became a remarkable redemption story. After initially struggling for a spot, he fought his way back into the side and delivered pivotal performances. He finished the tournament as India’s highest run-scorer and the third-highest overall, accumulating 321 runs in just five matches. His average was an outstanding 80.25, with a blistering strike rate of 199.37.
One of his defining knocks was a match-winning 96 not out against the West Indies in a Super 6 match, which was effectively a virtual quarterfinal for India. Samson also set a tournament record by smashing 24 sixes, the most by any batter in a single T20 World Cup edition. His scores in the last three matches for India, including the semifinal and final, were 96 not out, 89, and 89, solidifying his status as the Player of the Tournament.
Reflecting on his innings against the West Indies, Samson noted how the game itself guided his approach. “After the powerplay, I usually go into fifth gear… But in that game, every time I felt it was time to attack, a wicket would fall at the other end. That’s when I realised the game is the biggest teacher. The game tells you what to do,” he explained, highlighting his adaptability in a crucial match for India.
Samson’s eventual success underscored Rohit Sharma’s earlier prediction that he would get his chance in the long tournament.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
