In the final Super-8 clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, Sanju Samson demonstrated an innings that the team management had eagerly awaited. His unbeaten 97 off 50 balls paved the way for India to clinch victory by five wickets.
With this triumph, Team India secured their ticket to the semifinals. This tournament marked only his third match, after receiving just one chance during the group stage, most of his time was spent on the bench.
Special 97: Sanju Samson Outshines the West Indies as India Orchestrates Record Run-Chase in Kolkata
India triumphed against the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata with a record run-chase of 196 – the highest in India's T20 World Cup history. India will face England in Mumbai on March 5, while South Africa clashes with New Zealand in Kolkata on March 4.
Why Wasn't Sanju Given Opportunities? Coach Gambhir Explains
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir clarified post-match that the decision was more about mental preparedness than performance. According to him, after a challenging T20 series against New Zealand, the pressure was mounting on Samson. Gambhir elaborated – sometimes granting a player a break is vital, to help them out of pressure situations so they can contribute effectively when the timing is right. The team management believed that Samson would deliver when given a chance, and he proved them right.
The Turning Point: New Zealand Series
Samson's performance during the five-match T20 series against New Zealand was disappointing, with scores of 10, 6, 0, 24, and 6. It was during this phase that the team decided to give him a mental reset.
Samson's Journey in the World Cup
He remained benched during the match against the USA. A chance against Namibia arose following Abhishek Sharma's illness, where Samson scored 22 runs. Once more, he was sidelined against Pakistan and the Netherlands. In the Super-8, he didn’t make the playing eleven against South Africa. Scoring 24 against Zimbabwe, Samson was criticized, then silenced critics with a 97* against the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata, making a strong statement on the biggest stage.
What Impressed Gambhir the Most About Samson’s 97?
Gambhir noted that 'control and understanding of the match situation' set Samson's innings apart. Training sessions indicated his rhythm, even though big scores were absent. The coach’s faith was rewarded at the precise moment.
