Sanju Samson’s brilliant match-winning knock for India sparked emotional celebrations in the dressing room. Captain Suryakumar Yadav bowed in respect, coach Gautam Gambhir shared a warm hug, and teammates Varun Chakravarthy and Rinku Singh joined in, highlighting the team’s admiration and joy.
T20 World Cup 2026: Captain Suryakumar Yadav, Coach Gautam Gambhir And Teammates Celebrate Emotionally After Sanju Samson’s Match-Winning Knock — WATCH | Image Source - X/@bcci
“Respect the name: Sanju Samson!!!” — Ian Raphael Bishop, the legendary cricketer, tweeted after the Indian cricketer played the knock of his lifetime and helped the Indian cricket team reach the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
Leaving past some rotten luck, Sanju Samson etched his name forever in the history of Indian cricket as well as ICC tournaments as he played an unbeaten knock of 97 runs off 50. It was just his third innings in the ongoing tournament, and Sanju Samson made sure to make the most of it. He unleashed the beast in him when the wickets were falling from another end.
He showered Eden Gardens with fours and sixes. His sensational knock was laced with 12 fours and 4 sixes, which came at a strike rate of 194. This knock was special for him — and for his fans. Sanju sealed India’s win with a boundary, dropped to his knees, removed his helmet, and thanked the Almighty with folded hands.
His unbeaten 97, which included 12 fours and 4 sixes, is now the highest score by an Indian batter in a successful T20 World Cup chase. The video of the beautiful celebration by Sanju Samson is going viral on the internet.
Watch the video:
At the post-match presentation, Sanju Samson opened up about his feelings and said, “It means the whole world, actually, to me. I think right from the day I started playing, I started dreaming of playing for the country. I think this is the day I was waiting for. And I’m very grateful, very thankful.”
“And I’ve always had a very special journey with lots of ups and downs, but I’ve kept on doubting myself, kept on thinking, what if, what if, can I make it, can I make it? But I kept on believing, and thanks to the Lord Almighty for actually blessing me today. So I’m very happy," he added.
Speaking on India's performance and how he is feeling after his team reached the semi-final, SKY said, “It is a great feeling,” the India captain said after the five-wicket victory, calling it the kind of night that tests dressing-room depth as much as skills. “As everyone said, it was a ‘do or die’. The way the boys showed character was great to see.”
When asked about Sanju Samson’s knock, SKY said, “I say it always that good things happen to good people who wait, who have a lot of patience,” he said. “I said it just now to him (Samson). It is all his hard work that he has been putting in when he was not playing, and he is getting the fruit at the right time.”
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson’s match-winning knock sparked heartfelt celebrations, with captain Suryakumar Yadav bowing in respect and coach Gautam Gambhir sharing a warm hug. Teammates Varun Chakravarthy and Rinku Singh also embraced him, highlighting the team’s joy and admiration. Watch the video:
Talking about the match — chasing 196, India had a shaky start at 41-2 but kept up with the required run rate. Samson steadied the innings with captain Suryakumar Yadav (18), adding 58 runs together. Tilak Varma hit 27 off 15 before leaving India needing 55 more. Despite Hardik Pandya falling for 17, Samson stayed calm and finished the chase with four balls to spare.
For the West Indies, Jason Holder (37* off 22) and Rovman Powell (34* off 19) added an unbeaten 76-run stand. Roston Chase, promoted to open, scored 40, while Shimron Hetmyer made 27. Varun Chakravarthy dismissed Shai Hope for 32, and Jasprit Bumrah picked up key wickets, though India dropped three catches.
