Samson reflects on T20 World Cup success and playing on his own terms

By Arjun Nair / 27.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 27 July 2026 — 3 min read

Sanju Samson, the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, has shared insights into the mindset shifts that propelled his recent success, including advice from Virat Kohli and his decision to step away from cricket’s “rat race.” Samson, who finished as India’s leading run-scorer with 321 runs in the tournament, highlighted how playing on his own terms became a pivotal factor in his career resurgence.

During an India team camp, Samson sought advice from Virat Kohli regarding his career. Kohli’s counsel focused less on batting technique and more on the importance of lifestyle and discipline for an international cricketer. Samson recounted Kohli’s emphasis on maintaining a specific lifestyle to aid recovery and ensure a long career, a discipline Samson initially followed for a year and a half before finding it difficult to sustain.

Embracing a new approach

A significant turning point for Samson came before the 2026 T20 World Cup, when he found himself behind Ishan Kishan in the national team’s pecking order. Instead of focusing on selection anxieties, Samson made a conscious decision to enjoy the game and play cricket on his own terms. He expressed a desire to no longer be part of what he described as the “constant rat race” in the sport.

This shift in perspective, he believes, allowed him to rediscover the enjoyment of batting. Samson, at 31 years old, stated his intention to play his remaining years in cricket according to his own decisions, asserting that “No one will tell me how to bat or what to do. Sanju will decide for Sanju.”

His renewed approach bore fruit during the ICC T20 World Cup campaign. Samson delivered successive half-centuries, starting from a crucial match against the West Indies and continuing through to the final against New Zealand, contributing significantly to India’s title victory.

Confidence in crucial matches

Samson also reflected on his self-belief ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final against England, where he faced pacer Jofra Archer, a bowler who had dismissed him multiple times in the past. Despite external reminders of his previous struggles against Archer and the top order’s inconsistent form, Samson maintained his confidence.

He recalled his plans for the match, stating he knew he was a different player than he had been a year prior, especially after an unbeaten 97* against the West Indies in the virtual quarter-final. In the semi-final, Samson scored 38 runs off 14 balls against Archer, including three fours and four sixes. His innings of 89 runs off 42 balls helped India reach a total of 253/7.

During the final against New Zealand, Samson embraced the responsibility of being the main run-scorer. He acknowledged that form can fluctuate but felt confident in his ability to contribute. He recalled facing four dot balls from Mitchell Santner in the final but remained composed, trusting his ability to hit boundaries later in the innings. This patience, he noted, was a lesson learned from his performances against the West Indies and England.

Samson also praised his teammates, including Ishan Kishan and Jasprit Bumrah, for their contributions to India’s success. He described Bumrah as a “cheat code” whose early contributions were crucial in both the semi-final and the final.

Looking ahead, Samson expressed that he is not planning for the 2028 T20 World Cup. He stated that after not expecting to play in the 2026 World Cup following the 2024 edition, he prefers to focus on enjoying the game and being a good teammate. He believes that if he continues to play well and the team requires his services, opportunities will arise, but he remains grateful for his achievements regardless of future selections.

Source: m.rediff.com