Rohit Sharma’s initial advice
Sanju Samson has shared details about a conversation with Rohit Sharma during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Samson was not included in India’s playing XI in the later stages of the tournament, following a challenging five-match T20I series against New Zealand leading into the World Cup. Despite this, Rohit Sharma conveyed to Samson that he still had a significant role to play in India’s campaign.
Sharma reportedly told Samson, “Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai.” This translates to, “Don’t be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You’ll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime.” Samson, a wicketkeeper-batter from Kerala, admitted that he was too disappointed at the time to fully accept Sharma’s words.
He expressed that he “didn’t believe Rohit at that time.” Samson noted that while Sharma might have spoken from his heart or experience, he personally “wasn’t able to see what he was seeing” at that moment. He added that his disappointment was visible on his face.
Overcoming disappointment and rediscovering purpose
The disappointment lingered for Samson even after India’s World Cup campaign began, making it difficult for him to immediately move past the setback. He mentioned that it typically takes him at least a week to recover from such phases and that his feelings are often evident if he is not feeling completely well. This period of struggle lasted for four or five days before he managed to regain his focus.
Samson viewed this setback as an opportunity for self-reflection. He began to question his motivations for playing cricket and his overall purpose in the sport. This process allowed him to reconnect with his identity as a cricketer, describing it as “rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on.”
He acknowledged that he had been “overdoing it” and that being in a happy and mentally sound space was more crucial than excessive practice. This realization came after the New Zealand series, where he observed that another player, Ishan Kishan, had moved ahead in the pecking order. Kishan’s strong performance, including winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Jharkhand and scoring well in subsequent matches, made it clear to Samson that he was not in contention for the playing XI at that point.
Redemption and tournament success
Despite the initial challenges, Samson made a significant return to form. He played a crucial role in India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which was held on home soil. His performance earned him the title of Player of the Tournament.
Samson finished as India’s highest run-scorer and the third-highest overall in the tournament. He accumulated 321 runs in just five matches, maintaining an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. He also set a tournament record by hitting 24 sixes, the most by any batter in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
His notable contributions included scores of 96 not out, 89, and 89 in the last three matches, which encompassed the semi-final and final. One particularly impactful innings was his 96 not out against the West Indies in a Super 6 match, which served as a virtual quarter-final for India. Samson reflected on this game, noting that he had prepared better for it and that it felt like one of those days where everything aligned perfectly, allowing him to enjoy the moment and let things happen naturally.
He also mentioned that during the match against the West Indies, despite his usual aggressive approach after the powerplay, wickets falling at the other end prompted him to adapt his strategy, highlighting that “the game is the biggest teacher.”
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
