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    STUMP VISION                                                           MARCH 13, 2026      |  The Indian Eye 40

             Sanju Samson’s Redemption: Talent, Patience

               and Humility at the Heart of India’s T20 Run

              For years, Samson has been considered one of India’s most naturally gifted batters. His timing,

                                      flair and ability to accelerate have made him a fan favourite

            OUR BUREAU
            Mumbai

               n  a  format  defined  by  speed  and  spectacle,
               Sanju Samson’s journey in the ICC Men’s T20
            IWorld Cup has become a reminder that pa-
            tience and humility still matter in modern cricket.
            His match-winning 89 off 42 balls against England
            in the semifinal at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium
            was not just a display of power-hitting; it was the
            culmination of a difficult personal journey marked
            by self-doubt, lost opportunities and relentless
            scrutiny.
                For  years, Samson  has  been  considered  one
            of India’s most naturally gifted batters. His timing,
            flair and ability to accelerate have made him a fan
            favourite. Yet his international career has rarely
            followed a straightforward path. Competition for
            places in India’s batting lineup is intense, and play-
            ers often find themselves moving in and out of the
            team depending on form and tactical decisions.
                Samson experienced this uncertainty in the
            months leading up to the tournament. During the
            Asia Cup, the arrival of vice-captain Shubman
            Gill led to Samson being pushed down the batting
            order and eventually losing his place in the side.
            When he returned as an opener later, he endured a   England’s Jacob Bethell gets run out by Indian wicketkeeper Sanju Samson during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 semi-fi-
            difficult home series against New Zealand, scoring
            just 46 runs in five innings. The poor run cost him            nal match against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday (ANI)
            his spot as India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter,
            with Ishan Kishan making the most of his opportu-  ment. His 89 included eight fours and seven sixes   “All credit goes to Bumrah, once in a genera-
            nities after returning to the national side.  and powered India to a formidable total of 253 for   tion,” Samson said. “I think this award should go
                For Samson, the phase was emotionally drain-  seven. The aggressive yet calculated knock set the   to him.”
            ing.  Speaking  after  the  semifinal  victory,  he  ac-  tone for the innings and ensured India maintained   Such  remarks  reflect  a  team-first  mentality
            knowledged how difficult the period had been and   momentum throughout the powerplay and middle   that has become a defining feature of Samson’s ap-
            admitted that he had tried too hard during the New   overs.  Samson  later  revealed  that  he  and  Ishan   proach to the game. Even while discussing his own
            Zealand series in his eagerness to secure a place in   Kishan had sensed the opportunity to build a huge   batting, he repeatedly emphasized the importance
            the team.                                    total once they settled at the crease. “But the way   of contributing to the team rather than focusing on
                “I wanted to make an impact and get into the   Ishan and I were batting, we knew 250 should be   personal milestones. “A hundred doesn’t matter,”
            11 of the World Cup,” he said. “But this format can   possible,” he said after receiving the Player of the   he said. “Happy to get whatever I’m getting in a
            get very funny. Even the best in the world struggle   Match award.                         winning effort.”
            to score runs. I had to respect the game and come   The  innings  also  reflected  Samson’s  growing   For Samson, that support has been crucial
            back to my basics.”                          maturity as a T20 batter. With more than 300 games   during his own challenging phases. He often cred-
                Instead of reacting to criticism, Samson chose   in the format across domestic leagues and interna-  its patience, training and the encouragement of
            to withdraw from the noise surrounding him. He   tional cricket, he has developed a clearer under-  close family members for helping him rediscover
            deliberately stayed away from social media and out-  standing of how to pace an innings and read match   his confidence.
            side distractions, focusing instead on preparation   situations. “If I am feeling good, I try to give a great   “Everything was worth it,” he said while reflect-
            and mental clarity.                          start for my team,” he explained. “Nowadays in the   ing on his journey. “There was a lot of patience, in-
                “When hard times were coming, my close peo-  powerplay the match is made or spoiled. As soon as   ner work, training and practice.”
            ple were with me. I closed all my windows, I shut   you get three or four balls, you try to attack.”  In a format where careers can change within a
            down my phone. I was not on social media,” he said.   At the same time, Samson’s reaction after the   few games, Samson’s story stands out as an example
            “Less noise and fewer people interacting with me   match highlighted another aspect of his personality:   of resilience. His talent has never been in doubt, but
            helped me focus in the right direction.”     humility. Despite being named Player of the Match   it is his humility and determination to keep working
                Against England in the semifinal, he delivered   for his performance, he deflected praise toward his   through setbacks that have allowed him to seize the
            one of the most impactful innings of the tourna-  teammates, particularly fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.  moment when it arrived.

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