T20 World Cup 2026 | Sanju Samson’s moment of redemption

Kolkata: The talent of Sanju Samson was never in doubt. Right from his age group days in Kerala to his sizzling performances with Rajasthan Royals and some fine displays with the Indian team, it was clearly evident that Samson was cut out for the big league. What bogged him down from reaching his full potential, like the cricketing world witnessed on Sunday, was a lack of consistency that eventually sowed seeds of ‘self-doubt’ in his own mind.

Let’s take the last couple of months, which is a microcosm of Samson’s stop-start career, partly due to his fault and partly due to management’s strange decisions that could have impacted his performances. After being shuffled up and down the batting order from the Asia Cup last September to accommodate then-designated vice-captain Shubham Gill, Samson, an opener for most of his life, got his place back at the top in the New Zealand series just before the World Cup. Stunningly, Gill was left out of the marquee event while Samson retained his spot in the squad.

Although Gill went out, the surprise inclusion of Ishan Kishan, also an opener, from the wilderness meant Samson still had to earn his right to partner the undisputed Abhishek Sharma. Kishan was coming into the series on the back of a roaring domestic season where he powered Jharkhand to a maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy while Samson was struggling with an identity crisis. 

Pressure can either make a person or break them. With scores of 10, 6, 0, 24, and 6, and both his technique and temperament exposed ruthlessly by New Zealand fast bowlers, Samson knew he’d be confined to the sidelines again. And that’s what happened as Kishan, who scored 215 runs at number three (including a century), partnered Abhishek in the opening game against the US. The ‘self-doubt’ worsened.

Such was Samson’s state of mind that he would even question batting coach Sitanshu Kotak why he’s slotted to bat first in the ‘nets’ sessions when he’s not going to be in the playing XI. He even wondered why he was asked to pad up in the first place on match eve. Although he carried out his duties like a thorough professional, it was clearly evident that the baggage of another disappointment was weighing heavily on his mind.

Like how Lady Luck shone on Kishan, it handed a lifeline to Samson. With a southpaw-loaded Indian batting line-up found out by off-spinners, the Indian team was forced to bring back Samson for the Zimbabwe game after the South Africa hammering in the opening Super Eights match to break the monotony. This was going to be the 31-year-old’s last shot at glory, failing which there could be no comeback, possibly even losing his place in the team after the World Cup. 

This time Samson, who moved from Delhi as a teenager to Thiruvananthapuram to give wings to his cricketing dreams, was determined to conquer the demons. He gave a glimpse of that with a 24-run cameo against Zimbabwe, but he needed something substantial to overcome his own fear. Sunday, at the Eden Gardens against the dangerous West Indies, was the occasion. He smashed a scintillating 97 not out off 50 balls to single-handedly steer India into the semifinals in a record chase.

He banished all those ‘self-doubts’ in one of the finest innings of his career. He played the high-risk game which has been the hallmark of his batting but, in a welcome change, played the percentages well.

T20 is a game of small margins, and he gambled on the big shots smartly to become the toast of the nation. From being vilified a month ago, he was suddenly the hero. The relief was evident when he smashed the winning run, sinking to his knees and thanking the Almighty for the aleatory.

“It means the whole world to me. Right from the day I started playing, I started dreaming of playing for the country. This is the knock I was waiting for. I had a very special journey. I had a lot of ups and downs. I kept doubting myself, thinking, ‘Will I make it?’ But I am thankful to the Almighty for blessing me today. I didn’t think I would play this special knock, but yeah, this is one of the greatest days of my life,” an emotional Samson told the host broadcaster.

Such lifelines don’t come often in the middle of a major tournament. Samson has seized it for now. But he needs to build on the gains by showing consistency and climb up and not come hurtling down again.