AHMEDABAD, India - Sanju Samson's remarkable turnaround from an overlooked player to the T20 World Cup's Player of the Tournament cemented India's retention of the title. The 31-year-old opener faced significant scrutiny after a prolonged period of inconsistent form.
Despite being a squad member in the 2024 edition without playing, Samson's place was uncertain. "Right after the New Zealand series, I was broken, I was completely out of my mind," Samson stated post-match. "I was like my dreams have shattered, what else can I do?"
Samson's tournament began with modest scores, but he peaked in the knockout stages. He delivered three consecutive scores above 80, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer with 321 runs.
"God had different plans," he reflected. "I suddenly came back into the crucial games, and did what I could for my country. So I'm very proud and happy that I was courageous enough to dream about it."
In the final, Samson struck 89, contributing to India's 255-5 and securing a 96-run victory over New Zealand. His performance included the highest individual score in a T20 World Cup final and a record 24 sixes for the tournament.
He credited Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar for his guidance. "From the last couple of months, I've been in constant touch with Sachin (Tendulkar) sir... had huge conversations with him," Samson said, highlighting Tendulkar's input on clarity and game preparation.
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir lauded Samson as a 'special player,' emphasizing the value of backing talent. "He deserves a lot more than actually he's got till now," Gambhir commented. "There was never any doubt on his talent. It was just about going out there and just be as free as he wanted to be."
India's triumph marks their third T20 World Cup title, making them the first team to achieve this milestone.