India’s journey to the T20 World Cup 2026 final has been nothing short of spectacular, with Sanju Samson emerging as the unlikely hero time and again. Despite being repeatedly overlooked in the batting order, the wicketkeeper-batter has proven his mettle in the biggest moments.
Against West Indies in a do-or-die Super 8 clash, Samson smashed an unbeaten 97 off 50 balls, single-handedly steering India to the semifinals. His calculated aggression silenced critics who accused him of throwing away wickets. Then, in the semifinal against England, he unleashed 89 runs off just 42 deliveries, showcasing his big-match temperament.
Samson’s path to this glory wasn’t smooth. Before Asia Cup 2025, he was in red-hot form, eyed as Abhishek Sharma’s opening partner. But Shubman Gill’s inclusion shuffled him down the order, leading to inconsistent performances at Nos. 5 and 6.
Post-Asia Cup failures, he briefly opened again but struggled against New Zealand, where Ishan Kishan’s explosive 215 runs at a 231 strike rate earned him the opener’s spot alongside Abhishek. Samson was back on the bench for the World Cup’s early games.
Fate intervened in Super 8s when Rinku Singh’s absence opened the door. Samson grabbed it with 24 off 15 against Zimbabwe, but West Indies was his masterpiece. He paced his innings perfectly, mixing boundaries with smart singles, proving his critics wrong.
In the semifinal, his 89 dismantled England’s bowling, blending power and precision. As India eyes the final, Samson’s resilience stands out—a player who thrives when trusted, turning neglect into triumph.