Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about his dramatic turnaround during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, revealing how he went from being dropped from the squad picture to becoming the Player of the Tournament.
Speaking on JioStar’s Believe, Samson recalled the difficult phase after the New Zealand series, where he struggled to make an impact, scoring just 24 runs as his spot in the World Cup team came under threat. He admitted that seeing Ishan Kishan’s explosive performances pushed him further down the pecking order.
“After the New Zealand series, it was clear that the World Cup was done for me. Whatever had to happen had happened, and the only thing I could do was sit quietly and clap,” Samson said.
However, captain Rohit Sharma backed him during the tough phase and told him he could still get an opportunity later in the tournament. Samson admitted he could not believe Rohit’s words at that moment.
“To be honest, I didn’t believe him at that time. I wasn’t able to see what he was seeing,” Samson said, adding that he took time to recover mentally before rediscovering himself.
Samson credited his mental reset for his comeback and highlighted his match-winning knock against West Indies in the virtual quarter-final as a turning point.
He also spoke about his emotional celebration after the innings, saying he considers it a special moment of faith and gratitude.
“I’m grateful that it happened through me, that I was able to help the team. That moment will stay with me till my last breath,” he said.
