(Image source from: x.com/BCCI)
When Sanju Samson left the Eden Gardens not out at 97, he didn’t overstate how he felt. "This is one of the best days of my life," he mentioned. India was aiming for 195 runs in what was basically a quarter-final against the West Indies cricket team. If they lost, their journey would be over. If they won, there would be a chance for the semi-finals. Samson didn’t just help the team reach the target - he took charge of the game. His score of 97 not out is now the highest by an Indian in a successful chase during a men’s T20 World Cup, surpassing the unbeaten scores of 82 by Virat Kohli in 2016 and 2022. For someone who started the tournament not among the first-choice players, it was a full-circle moment. Initially, Samson was not India’s top choice to open the batting in the World Cup. Even after a last-minute change before the tournament, he had to wait for his turn. It took a series of crucial matches for the team to decide to give him a chance at the top. Sometimes, careers change without fanfare. A decision here, a chat there.
This time, the chance came with expectations. Samson managed to handle the pressure wisely.
He moved through the chase with calm confidence - taking singles when he needed to, finding gaps for boundaries, and changing his pace without appearing rushed. There were no wild swings or signs of panic. Just solid cricket shots. He later mentioned that he learned how to pace T20 chases by watching Kohli and Rohit Sharma. At Eden Gardens, those lessons were evident. He didn’t rush into the moment; he allowed it to come to him. This was also the first time in both the IPL and T20 Internationals that Samson opened the batting and remained not out while chasing successfully. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has always believed in Samson’s talent. After the match, he spoke with a steady but serious tone. "He’s a world-class player. We all recognize the skill Sanju has. It was important to support him and give him confidence. When the team needed him most, he showed what he could do." Samson had gone through a tough phase earlier. He had been dropped from the team. There were doubts raised - about his consistency, roles, and mental strength. Gambhir’s perspective was different.
"At times, it’s crucial to remove a player from stressful situations and allow them some room," he mentioned. "We always recognized his skills. Whenever he had the chance in a World Cup match, he performed well. "
There’s a human aspect to making such choices - taking a step back instead of pushing harder, relying on timing instead of forcing things. Against Zimbabwe, Samson showed signs of getting back into form. Against West Indies, he made it clear. Pursuing 195 in a knockout match can fall apart quickly, but it didn’t. Gambhir thinks that's how championships are decided. "In major tournaments, the mental game is more important than ability. You can’t suddenly enhance your skills in just a week. It's about handling pressure. " Samson appeared relaxed from the beginning. Even when the required run rate increased, he didn’t panic. His partnership with Suryakumar brought stability; the late surge felt controlled, not hurried. India didn’t worry about finishing quickly; they prioritized remaining competitive.
Gambhir swiftly expanded the perspective. "This is a team sport. Shivam’s two boundaries were as crucial as Sanju’s 97 runs. Significant scores grab headlines, but the smaller contributions secure victories. " For Samson, this was beyond just scoring 97 runs. It was a confirmation - for the patience, for the support, for the belief that form can return if given some space. India is now headed to a semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium. The challenge will be tougher. The focus will be sharper. However, on this evening in Kolkata, Sanju Samson didn’t appear to be just a temporary opener or a backup plan. He seemed like someone who had finally seized his opportunity - and made the most of it.
