(Video) Sanju Samson Reaches Out to Legend Yuvraj Singh for Mentoring

Apart from Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, Yuvraj Singh has also mentored explosive batters like Prabhsimran Singh and Ramandeep Singh.

(Video) Sanju Samson Reaches Out to Legend Yuvraj Singh for Mentoring

Yuvraj Singh shared batting tips with Sanju Samson, ahead of India-New Zealand series. (via Instagram)

2011 World Cup icon Yuvraj Singh appears to be mentoring another Indian cricketing star, Sanju Samson. A widely shared video of Samson receiving technical advice from the all-round legend has created a stir on social media just before the India-New Zealand series.

The timing of Sanju Samson‘s interaction with Indian cricket legend Yuvraj Singh is especially significant, less than a month before the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. And who knows the T20 WC better than Yuvraj Singh, best remembered for hitting six consecutive sixes in an over against England during the inaugural 2007 edition. The left-hander was a key player when the Men in Blue secured their first T20 WC title.

The upcoming 2027 edition presents Samson with a pivotal opportunity to solidify his position in India’s T20I setup. Following Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the shortest format after the Men in Blues’ 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, the 31-year-old saw his stakes rise. He transformed into India’s first-choice T20I opener, a role which saw him become the first player in history to score three hundreds in a single calendar year. 

Samson made the most out of the opportunity, scoring 559 runs in 18 innings at an average of 32.88 and a strike-rate of 178. His position in the playing XI, however, remained uncertain, with the wicket-keeper being forced to play down the order following Shubman Gill’s return to the format. Despite these setbacks and limited opportunities, Samson persevered. Gill’s subsequent poor form facilitated Samson’s return to the playing XI.

The 31-year-old has once again secured his position as an opener, and is a part of India’s 15-member T20 World Cup squad. At this juncture, Samson has turned towards Yuvraj Singh for mentorship, with a video of him receiving tips from the legend while training, going viral on social media. Singh has a track record of guiding promising Indian batters, including Gill, India’s Test and ODI captain, and Abhishek Sharma, Samson’s opening partner.

Samson will be seen in action when the Men in Blue take on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series at home, before the WC. The right-handed batter will be beaming with confidence after having hit a century for Kerala in the latest Vijay Hazare Trophy outing against Jharkhand.

Predicted XI for 2026 T20 World Cup: Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma tipped to lead India’s batting

The Men in Blue will be looking to defend its T20 World Cup title, with the upcoming 2026 edition to be played at home. The BCCI-appointed selectors have already named a 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 WC, with Suryakumar Yadav as the captain, and Axar Patel as his deputy. 

Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will open the batting for India at the 2026 T20 World Cup. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Coming to the playing XI, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma will return as opening partners once again, with the 31-year-old taking the spot of out-of-form Shubman Gill. At no.3, skipper Suryakumar Yadav will be aiming to overcome his recent slump in batting form, which has drawn criticism. Following him at no. 4 is Tilak Varma, who is currently recovering from a testicular torsion repair surgery.

Hardik Pandya is slated for the no. 5 spot, with Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh designated as finishers. Vice-captain Axar Patel will complete the all-rounder contingent. On the bowling front, India’s attack will feature three big names. Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah are anticipated to lead the pace bowling unit, while the world’s no. 1-ranked T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy, will head the spin department.

Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana are expected to remain on the bench, occasionally being brought into the playing XI. India’s T20 World Cup campaign is scheduled to kick off on February 7 against the USA in Mumbai.

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