(Video) Suryakumar Yadav Tips His Hat to Sanju Samson Following His Once-In-A-Lifetime Knock in T20 World Cup

Sanju Samson will face high expectations when India confronts England in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

(Video) Suryakumar Yadav Tips His Hat to Sanju Samson Following His Once-In-A-Lifetime Knock in T20 World Cup

Suryakumar Yadav bowed to Sanju Samson, before embracing the latter after his Eden Gardens' masterclass. (Image via BCCI/X)

Sanju Samson delivered a spectacular performance on Sunday, securing India’s place in the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a victory over the West Indies in the Super Eights. His 97 not out was so impressive that it prompted a sincere show of respect from Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav.

On what was a triumphant night of achievement, Samson made history by going past Virat Kohli’s record for the highest score by an Indian batter in a T20 World Cup chase. He finished with an unbeaten 97 runs off just 50 balls with determination and skill, hitting 12 boundaries and four sixes at a strike-rate of 194. Samson rescued the Men in Blue and guided them to their third consecutive T20 World Cup semi-final.

Batting first, West Indies raced to a total of 195/4 in their 20 overs, guided by crucial knocks from Roston Chase (40 off 25), Jason Holder (37 off 22) and Rovman Powell (34 off 19). India had to win it at all costs to secure the fourth semi-final spot. However, the defending champions faced a steep challenge, as their only prior attempt to chase a target in this edition of World Cup, against South Africa, had ended in failure.

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan’s early dismissals increased the pressure on Sanju Samson. He kept his nerve throughout the chase, and finished with a six and a four, falling three runs shy of a well-deserved century. Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube also scored vital runs to help India to 199/5 in 19.2 overs. Samson’s innings was particularly remarkable because he had lost his spot in the team’s playing XI just before the T20 World Cup due to a series of low scores against New Zealand.

As Suryakumar Yadav led his players onto the pitch in celebration, he emphatically bowed down before Samson. Yadav even took off his cap in honor of the masterclass display, before embracing the batter. In another video released by the BCCI, Sanju Samson was captured asking if Yadav intended to make him cry. The other players embraced the right-hander in joy, while the 65,000-strong crowd in Kolkata united in singing ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’.

It was only Samson’s third appearance in the T20 World Cup across two editions, given he was also a part of the 2024-winning side but did not get to play. The 31-year-old recorded scores of 22 and 24 in the last two matches that he played in the 2026 tournament. 

Former India captain calls for Sanju Samson to be picked consistently after West Indies heroics

With Sanju Samson helping India triumph in the final Super Eight game against the West Indies in Kolkata, the Indian selectors have been advised to pick him consistently. This remark came from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. 

Sourav Ganguly on Sanju Samson
Sourav Ganguly urged Sanju Samson to play for India consistently, following West Indies knock. (Image via India Today)

Samson scored what he described as the “most important innings of his life”, at the iconic Eden Gardens. The 31-year-old took India over the line in a thrilling 196-run chase. It ended up being India’s highest-ever chase in a T20 World Cup, surpassing the previous best of 173 runs that the team had chased against South Africa in the 2014 edition of the competition.

Sourav Ganguly, however, speaking after the match, suggested the wicket-keeper batter should be playing white-ball cricket for India consistently. He urged Samson to keep playing fluently, particularly in the WC semi-final against England. Ganguly added that when the right-hander gets going, he can damage the opposition, and also lauded the opener’s awareness during the Super Eight clash against the Windies. 

Outstanding. He’s [Sanju Samson] a very good player. He should consistently play for India in the white-ball.

Sourav Ganguly told reporters

While he remains a regular in the shortest format of the game, Samson has not played ODIs since 2023. Samson boasts good numbers in 50-over cricket, having scored 510 runs in 16 matches for India at a more than respectable average of 56.67.

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