Overview:
The captain did not speak much about the tough time Samson faced in the past, when he was not always in the playing XI and had to bat in different positions.
Suryakumar Yadav was full of praise for Sanju Samson after his brilliant performance helped India reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2026. The captain spoke highly of Samson and the wicketkeeper jokingly asked him to stop, saying he might start crying if the praise continued.
Samson played an amazing innings, scoring 97 runs from just 50 balls during a difficult chase. His knock helped India win the match and move into the next round. With this innings, he also broke the record for the highest score by an Indian player in a successful T20 World Cup chase, going past Virat Kohli’s previous record. After hitting the winning runs, Samson received a special welcome from Suryakumar, who took off his cap and bowed to him as a sign of respect.
In a video shared by the Indian Cricket Team, Suryakumar once again praised Samson. He said that during the training camp, Samson had told the team to always put the team first before thinking about personal achievements.
“Rulayega kya pagle? (Do you want to see me tear up?),” said Samson to Suryakumar.
Suryakumar opened the clip by echoing his post-match remarks on Samson, adding that during the preparatory camp the keeper-batter stressed the importance of collective goals over individual milestones.
“I’ve always believed that good things happen to good people and at the right time. There couldn’t have been a bigger occasion for him to rise and deliver exactly what the side needed. From the very first team meeting after he joined, his message was clear focus on what benefits the team, not individual goals,” Suryakumar said.
The captain did not speak much about the tough time Samson faced in the past, when he was not always in the playing XI and had to bat in different positions. Instead, he focused on Samson’s bravery and calm mindset in this important match.
“We all know how unpredictable this journey can be, with plenty of challenges along the way. There’s no need to go back to last year, when he lost his spot, adjusted to different batting slots, and eventually found his way back.”
“Winning a World Cup is never simple. ICC events are decided by players who show courage in big moments, and this innings was exactly that. It’s easy to get carried away after a strong start, but he stayed composed, anchored one end, and guided the team home. He deserves every bit of praise. I’m genuinely happy for him, his wife, his family, and everyone who has supported him. We are just one step away now, and hopefully this momentum continues. I could say much more, but right now I’m simply proud. He has earned all of this,” the Indian captain said.
India will now play against England in the semi-final on March 5 in Mumbai.