hungamaexpress

Sports

Sanju Samson: The man who sent India to the T20 World Cup final

Samson cemented his status as a national hero

Najam-ul-Saqib

Sanju Samson: The man who sent India to the T20 World Cup final

Samson cemented his status as a national hero

Sanju Samson: The man who sent India to the T20 World Cup final
Sanju Samson: The man who sent India to the T20 World Cup final

In a historic display of power-hitting, Sanju Samson propelled India into the T20 World Cup 2026 final after a breathtaking 7-run victory over England at the Wankhede Stadium.

Samson's blistering 89 off just 42 balls, featuring seven massive sixes, helped India post a mammoth 253/7 – the highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup knockout match.

The Kerala-born batter, who recently struggled for a permanent spot, has now become the tournament's standout performer. Speaking after the match, a jubilant yet grounded Samson said:

"I have been trying for a few years to do something like this for my country, a lot of patience, inner work, training and practice."

Samson cemented his status as a national hero 

His record-breaking innings saw him surpass Rohit Sharma for the most sixes by an Indian in a single T20 World Cup edition, cementing his status as a national hero.

Despite a valiant century from England's Jacob Bethell, India's bowlers held their nerve. Samson, ever the team player, was quick to deflect personal glory toward Jasprit Bumrah, stating:

"All credit goes to the bowlers; if we didn't bowl that way in the death overs, I think I would not be standing here."

With this "juggernaut" moment, India now heads to Ahmedabad to face New Zealand in the final on March 8. As Samson noted, "definitely, I feel grateful but we have one more step to go."