Sanju Samson credited cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar for helping shape his mindset after being named Player of the Tournament following India’s successful campaign in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Speaking at the post-match presentation after the final, Samson reflected on the difficult moments that preceded his stellar performances in the tournament. The wicketkeeper-batter revealed that he had reached out to Tendulkar during India’s tour of Australia, a period when he found himself out of the playing XI despite featuring in only two matches.
“I was sitting outside in Australia, I was not playing a game, so I thought, OK, what is the mindset required now? So I reached out to sir, and I had huge, big conversations with him,” Samson said.
The discussions with the legendary batter, he explained, helped him gain clarity and a stronger understanding of how to prepare for high-pressure situations.
“Getting guidance from someone like him, what more can I ask for? That clarity, that game preparation, that awareness, that game sense. I’m very grateful for everyone who supported me,” he added.
Samson went on to enjoy a remarkable tournament, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 321 runs and playing a crucial role in India’s title-winning run. His consistent performances helped anchor India’s batting in several key matches during the competition.
The 31-year-old also spoke about the motivation that came from his experience during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Although he was part of the squad that lifted the trophy, Samson did not feature in a single match during the tournament.
“I think this started one or two years ago, when I was with the 2024 World Cup-winning team in the West Indies. I couldn’t play a game, but I kept visualising, I kept dreaming, I kept working. This is exactly what I wanted to do then,” Samson said.
Reflecting on the journey, he explained that the disappointment of not getting opportunities had driven him to work harder toward a moment like this.
“I thought I needed to put in a lot of work, and this is exactly what I wanted to achieve. By God’s grace, today things have turned around,” he said.
Samson also admitted that his path to success in the tournament was not straightforward. Just weeks before the competition, he endured a difficult five-match series against New Zealand, where poor form resulted in him losing his place in the side.
“Right after the New Zealand series, I was broken. I was completely out of my mind,” Samson revealed.
“I was like, OK, my dreams have shattered, what else can I do? But God had different plans. I suddenly came back for the crucial games and did what I could for my country.”
Looking back on the emotional journey, Samson said the turnaround was deeply satisfying.
“I’m very proud and very happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it, and things have turned out so nicely for me. I’m very grateful.”
